How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Invisalign® Aligners?

Adjusting to Invisalign® Aligners Woodinville, WA

Dec 12, 2018 — by Cristin Dowd, DDS
Tags: Invisalign Orthodontics Crooked Teeth

Invisalign aligner traysBraces were a solid traditional treatment option for crooked teeth. Yet more and more people have turned to Invisalign®, and invisible orthodontics alternative to the brackets and wires of braces. The clear aligner trays of Invisalign® mean that no one will realize you’re undergoing treatment. Of course, these trays can cause a little discomfort, which means patients will face an adjustment period.

Experienced Woodinville, WA dentists Cristin Dowd, DDS and Ken Wu, DDS would like to go over some of the basics of the Invisalign® adjustment process below. We can discuss these matters with you in greater detail during an in-person consultation at Signature Smiles.

How Invisalign® Works

Invisalign® uses custom-designed clear plastic aligner trays to help shift the position of the teeth. They function much like braces, but they can be easily removed and put back in like a retainer. Patients will wear their trays at all times except for when they eat, drink, or clean their teeth.

Does Invisalign® Hurt?

No, Invisalign® trays do not hurt. That said, they can cause some soreness or discomfort when they are first worn. Patients may notice it takes a little bit of time for them to become accustomed to the soreness, with their teeth feeling sensitive or tender for a few days.

New Aligner Trays Every Two Weeks

Every two weeks, an Invisalign® patient will need to switch out their old Invisalign® tray for a new one in the sequence. This will help with the gradual realignment of the teeth. Consequently, there may be a brief period of adjustment (a few days) to each new aligner tray that is worn.

Getting Accustomed to Invisalign® Trays

Even beyond the soreness that occurs when new Invisalign® trays are worn, patients will need to get accustomed to the feeling of an Invisalign® tray in their mouth. This can take a little getting used to. Early into the treatment process, patients may find speaking a bit more challenging, though they gradually become used to talking while wearing their trays after a few weeks.

Comfort Compared to Braces

Generally speaking, Invisalign® aligner trays are more comfortable than traditional braces overall. There are no brackets and wires to deal with, which means greater comfort in the mouth. Since the Invisalign® trays can be removed easily, it makes cleaning your teeth and your trays no hassle at all.

How to Reduce Discomfort of New Invisalign® Aligners

When putting in an Invisalign® tray, it’s important that patients keep the tray on for as long as possible. This helps the teeth become accustomed to the tray. It may be a good idea to put on each new Invisalign® tray at night, so patients can sleep through the initial discomfort.

When eating foods in the first days with a new aligner, try to have soft foods that do not require a lot of chewing or gnawing. Room temperature foods and beverages are also a good option for preventing tooth sensitivity.

Patients should do their best to wear their trays 22 hours a day for optimal treatment. Generally, the soreness associated with new trays should not be too difficult to withstand if treatment is going according to plan.

How Long Does Invisalign® Treatment Take?

Overall, Invisalign® treatment will take a year to two years. This is about the time you’d spend wearing braces, but Invisalign® is much more convenient, as you can see.

Contact Signature Smiles

To learn more about Invisalign® and how it can help you have a straighter and healthier smile, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Signature Smiles looks forward to your visit. You can reach us by phone at (425) 489-1177.

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