When it comes to straightening your smile, Invisalign is the easiest and most convenient orthodontic treatment available. Unlike a mouth full of bulky, poking metal wires and brackets, Invisalign utilizes a series of aligners to gently push your teeth into place. If a clear, removable orthodontic option seems too good to be true, you may be asking yourself: “Does Invisalign hurt?” Read on to find out what you can expect in terms of discomfort while straightening your smile with Invisalign in Mt. Holly.
The Big Question: Does Invisalign Hurt?
The truth is, any method of straightening teeth is going to feel somewhat uncomfortable at certain times. Orthodontic treatment requires putting pressure on your gums and gradually reshaping your jawbone as your permanent teeth are shifted into place. However, a majority of patients report that Invisalign provides a much more comfortable process than traditional metal braces. In fact, a recent study conducted by Texas A&M found that Invisalign patients report lower intensities and frequencies of pain than those with traditional braces, both in the first few days and months of treatment.
Metal braces also tend to cause significant irritation to the tongue, cheeks, and lips. The protruding wires and brackets rub against the soft tissues, causing superficial but painful scratches and tears until they toughen. Invisalign aligners are completely smooth, so they’ll glide over your soft tissues without damaging them. Initially, the edges of your aligners may cause soreness in your gums, but this can easily be remedied with time or a quick adjustment from your dentist.
What Parts of Invisalign Treatment Cause Discomfort?
There are typically only two stages of Invisalign that cause discomfort. When you first begin to wear your aligners, your mouth will need some time to adjust to them. You’ll likely feel some discomfort in your gums and teeth as they adapt to the pressure that’s being placed on them. Throughout your treatment, you may experience this uncomfortable sensation each time you start wearing a new set of aligners. However, in both cases, the pain should be manageable and subside on its own within a few days.
What Can I Do About Dental Discomfort?
As you wait for your smile to become accustom to your aligners, you can manage any discomfort by:
- Drinking cold water or sucking on ice to reduce swelling.
- Applying a cold compress or ice pack to numb the mouth.
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed to ease inflammation.
- Switching to a new set of aligners right before bed to sleep through any initial discomfort.
- Talking to your dentist about any persistent pain and possible readjustments.
While Invisalign may not be completely pain-free, the temporary discomfort is well worth the permanent results. As long as you wear your aligners properly, you’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy, and comfortable smile before you know it!
About the Practice
At Mt. Holly Family Dentistry, we are proud to provide modern, comfortable, and effective dental care that keeps smiles healthy for a lifetime. We have outfitted our practice with state-of-the-art technology and are pleased to offer the most advanced dental treatments as a result. One such service is Invisalign, which has helped countless patients of Mt. Holly Family Dentistry achieve the straighter smile they’ve always wanted. To find out if Invisalign is right for you, we encourage you to contact us via our website or at (609) 267-3230.