Invisalign® aligners are a popular alternative to conventional metal braces. Although Invisalign offers more comfort than metal braces, it is impossible to eliminate the chances of mild pain or discomfort. The risk of discomfort seems to be highest during the first week of wearing invisible teeth aligners.
A person’s pain tolerance also determines the degree of pain they may experience with Invisalign. Some people might not even experience any discomfort. However, if Invisalign pain persists for more than a week after beginning aligner use, it may be a sign of a more severe problem that requires the orthodontist's attention. Continue reading to learn more about discomfort with Invisalign.
Invisalign and discomfort
Since Invisalign is intended to progressively correct the teeth’s alignment, it may cause minor discomfort initially. However, any pain or discomfort experienced with Invisalign is usually very mild and transitory and often occurs in the first week of wearing the new aligners. Patients typically get used to the aligner trays within the first week.
One of the most common Invisalign concerns is pain while eating, which does not happen to everyone. However, patients with any of the following conditions may be more prone to suffer discomfort with aligners: reduced pain tolerance, sensitive teeth, gingivitis, sensitive gums, and a troubling tooth.
Patients may also experience momentary discomfort with only one tooth. This is generally a sign that the aligners are working to move the teeth into place gently. The pain may reoccur with each aligner tray replacement, but any discomfort should subside within a few days.
How long does Invisalign pain last?
Many patients who experience discomfort with Invisalign often notice that symptoms only persisted two to three days after the new aligners were installed. Since patients need to switch to new trays every two weeks, minor pain and discomfort may occur during the initial few days of each cycle. However, as they get used to wearing the aligners, these symptoms may become less noticeable.
For the most part, wearing Invisalign results in mild pain, which patients eventually grow accustomed to and forget about. It may, however, be very unpleasant and painful for individuals with a low pain threshold. Although Invisalign treatment is unpleasant, it is less painful than metal braces, and the discomfort diminishes as the teeth adapt to wearing the aligners.
When it comes to Invisalign, the pressure of the Invisalign aligners on the teeth causes pain. The aligner edges can also irritate the gums and soft tissues. The mouth will adapt to the sensation of wearing Invisalign during the first few weeks. The orthodontist can adjust any sharp edges of the Invisalign aligners so patients can feel comfortable wearing them.
The bottom line
Invisalign is not a fully painless orthodontic procedure. The primary goal of using the aligners is to move your teeth into a more straight and healthy position. With the aligners, slight pressure is applied to your teeth to shift them. Putting pressure on the teeth typically causes discomfort. This may persist in the days after wearing a new set of Invisalign aligners, but it will gradually subside.
Request an appointment or call Price Family Orthodontics at 972-528-5519 for an appointment in our Frisco office.
Related Posts
You probably already know that Invisalign® trays look very different than traditional braces, but you may not know how ideal Invisalign is for many teens. Older teens are often very active in sports or might worry about how others think about teeth-straightening devices. The clear trays of Invisalign are less conspicuous than traditional braces. You…
While metal braces make keeping up with oral hygiene more complicated, routine teeth cleaning is a breeze with Invisalign® clear aligners. It is important to maintain strong healthy teeth throughout a straightening treatment, as tooth decay and gum disease can present serious health concerns. In addition, oral hygiene improves the aesthetic results at the end…
There are so many differences between traditional braces and Invisalign® aligners. You may be wondering which option is right for your alignment needs and if you will have to change your lifestyle. Many people choose to go through the Invisalign process because the trays are less conspicuous than traditional braces. Traditional braces can be very…