Invisalign treatment is a popular alternative to traditional braces uses a series of clear retainers specially molded to your teeth to gradually straighten your teeth over time, but what does that feel like and how does it affect you on a day-to-day basis? In today’s blog we will be discussing what you should expect during your Invisalign treatment.
Wearing Invisalign trays for the long periods of time required by the treatment can make your mouth feel a little strange. At first you will experience minor discomfort and mild tenderness in the area, but that discomfort should go away in less than a week and in the future when you swap out for a new tray the discomfort should only last a day or two before your mouth acclimates to the feeling. The trays will also feel tight at first, as they are forcing your teeth to conform to a specific position, but they will grow looser over time as your teeth settle.
It might also feel strange to speak when you first start using Invisalign trays, with many patients finding that they experience a lisp during the first week of treatment. This can be alleviated by speaking as much as possible to get your mouth used to the trays. The removal and reinsertion of your Invisalign trays also have a bit of a learning curve but with practice it should quickly become second nature. This practice is important as you need to remove your Invisalign trays regularly to eat or drink.
Many patients find that they become more conscious of their eating habits while undergoing Invisalign treatment due to the need to stop and remove their trays before they take a bite, leading to less snacking and sipping throughout the day. You will also need to remove your trays for cleaning, something that should be done at least twice a day. We recommend cleaning your trays when you brush and floss your teeth in the morning and in the evening as combining the two activities can make the new addition to your routine easier to remember.
We hope that we have been able to provide you with a good understanding of what you may encounter when undergoing Invisalign treatment. If you are interested in Invisalign or other orthodontic services, please feel free to contact our office.
The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.
If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.
