Invisalign and other clear aligner systems are a fantastic orthodontic treatment option for those people who might be worried about their appearance while wearing traditional metal braces. Even though aligners are sometimes said to be less painful than braces, it’s important to know that there is going to be some discomfort involved while the aligners move your teeth. If you are concerned about whether treatment will hurt, it may help to know what to expect. Or if your Invisalign aligners hurt at the moment, it might help to know what will relieve the discomfort.
Do Invisalign Aligners Hurt?
Generally, orthodontists advise that Invisalign and other kinds of clear aligners can cause some discomfort during the first few days of each new aligner series. Whether the Invisalign aligners hurt depends on the patient and their pain threshold, but usually the discomfort disappears within a few hours or days.
What Does the Pain Feel Like?
If you’re about to have aligner treatment, it’s important to understand what the feeling will be like. Some people may find that aligners cause less discomfort than braces, but it depends very much on the movements required. The clear aligners do however have the benefit that they don't rub as much on the inside of the cheeks/lips.
The constant gentle pressure of the aligner trays against the teeth will cause some soreness and tenderness. At times, the edges of the Invisalign aligners will also rub against the gums and the inside of the lips, causing some level of discomfort.
The Next Set of Invisalign Aligners
The good news is that patients do get used to the effect that Invisalign and other aligners have inside their mouth and against their gums. Callouses inside the mouth may form; they are the body's natural way to provide some protection against the aligners. The level of discomfort first associated with having something odd inside the mouth will certainly become less significant.
Once your orthodontist provides you with the next set of clear aligners, there will be more soreness or tenderness. It may not be at the same level as in the beginning, but it will be present. This is because your orthodontist designs each new aligner tray to move the teeth into their final position over time. The ongoing pressure will cause some level of discomfort.
Dealing with the Discomfort
So, what can you do when aligners hurt? And how can you deal with the soreness of teeth alignment? Here are a few tips:
- During the initial stages when the pain is worse, you may choose to use general pain medication until you adjust,
- Avoid foods that require lots of chewing,
- Use the gum provided by your orthodontist. This can provide an analgesic effect when biting
- Wear new sets of aligners just before you go to bed so that you sleep through much of the uncomfortable adjustment period.
Most people adapt successfully to wearing aligners and the experience of discomfort is manageable.
If your Invisalign aligners hurt more than just general discomfort, contact your orthodontist, or make an appointment with Profile Orthodontics in Joondalup or Claremont.
