Those interested in straightening their teeth in a convenient and discreet manner may opt for Invisalign in NE Calgary. This is an innovative orthodontic treatment that uses transparent, removable aligners to gradually move your teeth into the optimal positions.
Just like any orthodontic device, it may take you some time to get used to the feel of your Invisalign aligners. In this blog post, our team at Sunridge Landing Dental tells you all you need to know about adjusting to your new aligners and provides you with tips for a successful and comfortable treatment process.
Invisalign Rules
Once you receive your aligners from a dentist near you, you will be given instructions on how to properly wear, store, and clean them. To ensure that your treatment is successful, you must wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day and only remove them for meal times and brushing and flossing your teeth.
Is It Normal to Experience Discomfort with Invisalign?
Like traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners apply consistent and steady pressure to the teeth to move them into their new positions. Although this pressure is gentle, it can cause minor discomfort as your teeth and gums become accustomed to the aligning trays.
A lot of Invisalign patients notice minor discomfort, but the same amount experience no pain at all. Most of the soreness occurs whenever you switch out your aligners to a new set. This lasts about two days and is not a cause for concern.
How to Manage Discomfort From Invisalign
If you do notice some discomfort when you first start Invisalign near you, there are many things you can do to reduce it, including:
- Take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen as needed.
- Switch out your aligners before bed. Most discomfort happens during the first few hours. If you change your trays before you sleep, you will likely sleep through most of the pain.
- Remove your aligners for a couple of minutes and suck on an ice cube to soothe your gums.
- Try to resist removing your aligners. When tenderness occurs, it may be tempting to remove your aligners. However, this will only delay your treatment and cause increased pain when you place the trays back in your mouth. Remember that the longer you wear your trays, the quicker you will get used to them.
Can Invisalign Affect Your Speech?
A common question that our dentist in NE Calgary gets is if Invisalign will impact individuals’ ability to speak clearly. In some cases, patients notice that Invisalign aligners temporarily affect their speech as they get used to the feel of them in their mouths. Once individuals are used to their aligners, they should be able to speak with ease and should not notice a big difference in their speech patterns.
Invisalign aligners are very thin and designed to fit tightly against your teeth. If you notice that your speech is different after wearing your trays for a while, speak to your dentist.
Visit Sunridge Landing Dental
Most patients find it takes a couple of days to get used to Invisalign aligners, but they find this adjustment period well worth the benefit of a brand-new, healthy, and radiant smile. If you want to learn more about Invisalign and determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment, please reach out to our team at Sunridge Landing Dental. We are happy to assist you with your smile transformation journey.