Many patients with a slightly crooked or gapped grin worry about their appearance. However, did you know that having crooked teeth is also detrimental to your dental health? It can be challenging to brush and floss them thoroughly if you can’t reach all their sides which leaves you more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, your dentist can straighten your smile with Invisalign, which utilizes clear plastic aligner trays that fit over your pearly whites to gently reposition them.
Before you move forward with this treatment, it’s important to understand what’s involved so you can make an informed decision. With that in mind, continue reading to learn about 3 frequently asked questions and their answers!
Question #1: How Long Will I Wear Invisalign?
One of the first things many patients ask is how long Invisalign treatment lasts. Typically, treatment can be completed in 12 months though it may be more or less, depending on your circumstances. For example, teeth that are more severely crooked or have major bite misalignments may take up to 18 months to shift.
It’s also worth noting that for this method to be effective, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 22 hours every day. If you don’t keep them in your mouth for the allotted time, your teeth can revert to their previous positions which can extend your overall timeline.
Question #2: Does Invisalign Hurt?
Another incredibly common question about Invisalign is whether it hurts. While it’s not usually considered painful, you can expect some aches when you’re adjusting to your new aligners. Anything that applies enough pressure to your pearly whites to induce movement is bound to cause some level of discomfort and is considered normal. That said, the symptoms should be mild and typically dissipate after a week or so. If you experience throbbing that doesn’t go away or grows progressively worse, contact your dentist so they can ensure your trays fit correctly.
Question #3: Will Invisalign Impact My Speech?
Our teeth play a major role in how we form sounds and words, so many people ask whether Invisalign influences their ability to speak. It’s not uncommon to develop a bit of a lisp the first time you wear it, but this usually goes away relatively quickly. Be patient with yourself as your mouth adjusts to your orthodontics, and soon you will find that talking with them in your mouth has become second nature.
If you have additional questions that weren’t covered here, feel free to contact your dentist! They can walk you through the specifics of Invisalign to determine whether it’s the right treatment for you.
About the Author
Dr. J.D. Robison is an expert who provides a wide range of top-quality services to people of all ages in a luxurious atmosphere. He studied at Purdue University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Detroit Mercy. Since then, he has also completed the core curriculum at the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. He continues to hone his skills with extensive training so he can offer the most contemporary treatments, including Invisalign. By utilizing state-of-the-art technology onsite, he can provide fully individualized solutions to create beautiful, long-lasting results. If you’d like a straighter smile, you’re welcome to request a consultation appointment on the website or by calling (734) 453-6320.