What Should I Know About Invisalign?

Everybody wants a beautifully aligned set of teeth, but many are hesitant to commit to traditional braces because they involve significant food restrictions and wearing conspicuous metal parts for a year or more. Luckily, Invisalign can realign teeth with removable and virtually invisible clear aligners that allow the patient to eat whatever they want. Here’s a short list of common questions about Invisalign to help you know if this treatment might be right for you.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

When you start wearing a set of clear aligners, you can expect your teeth to be sore and sensitive. However, this discomfort is much milder than what you could expect from traditional braces, and it will fade as you get used to wearing them. Your first week with Invisalign will be your most uncomfortable one, and switching from one set of aligners to the next will only get easier with each transition.

How Much Do I Have to Wear My Clear Aligners?

Invisalign clear aligners are to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours a day, and the more you wear them, the better. Your teeth will slide back toward their original positions whenever you are not wearing them, and neglecting to wear your aligners enough can cause serious and potentially expensive delays in your treatment. Ideally, an Invisalign patient will wear their aligners whenever they are not eating or performing oral hygiene.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, Invisalign treatments take about twelve months. However, each patient’s case is different, and some may wear their aligners for only three months while others may have to wear them for as long as two years. How long your treatment takes will depend on the complexity of your case as well as how well you comply with your treatment.

Will Invisalign Change How I Speak?

While Invisalign clear aligners are incredibly thin, they still add volume to your teeth. This affects how air travels around them during speech, and you may find yourself lisping when you first start wearing them. Luckily, you’ll find it easier to speak with Invisalign as you get more practice, and you can speed up this process by reading aloud with your clear aligners. If you find yourself having any trouble with a particular word, repeat it until you get the hang of it.

Invisalign is a convenient and aesthetically pleasing way to straighten out your smile. Consulting with your dentist can determine if Invisalign can be an excellent treatment for you.

About the Author

Dr. Drew Beaty earned his dental degree at Northwestern University in Chicago. He takes over a hundred hours of continuing education every year and is proud to have completed all nine levels of postgraduate education at the prestigious Kois Center for Dental Excellence in Seattle. His office in Federal Way, WA offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign. To schedule an Invisalign consultation, contact his office online or dial (253) 839-6544.