Does Invisalign® Cause Pain?
The team here at Garden City Smiles is so pleased to offer Invisalign® to patients. It's made such a great difference in the lives of teens and adults. Invisalign® is an advanced orthdontic treatment alternative to metal braces, which means no brackets or wires at all. Invisalign® allows patients to eat and drink and clean their teeth without experiencing any hassles or restrictions posed by metal braces.
Prospective Invisalign® patients sometimes have questions about pain and discomfort from treatment. Let's address these concerns right now.
How Invisalign® Treatment Works
Invisalign® involves the use of clear plastic aligner trays. Each tray is custom designed using advanced computer technology, with a new aligner tray arriving every two weeks for patients to replace the previous one with. Over the course of several months, patients will wear these Invisalign® trays at all times except when eating, drinking, or cleaning their teeth.
Why Teeth May Be Sore During Invisalign® Treatment
The answer, by the way, is that Invisalign® can lead to some pain and discomfort during treatment. This is to be expected when the teeth are being shifted from one position into another more ideal position. The shifting happens gradually with time, however, so as the Invisalign® treatment continues, soreness tends to be less pronounced or better tolerated by patients.
How serious is the pain?
Not too serious, thankfully. Any discomfort that is experienced during Invisalign® treatment tends to be quite manageable.
Below are a few tips on how to deal with the soreness or discomfort you may face as you undergo Invisalign® treatment.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers Can Be Helpful
If your teeth are feeling a bit sore, a regular pain reliever that you can pick up at the store can be used to make the soreness more tolerable. Be sure to only used the pain medication as directed and as needed.
Put on New Aligners Before Bed at Night
The soreness and discomfort from treatment tends to be worse when you switch out the old aligners for new ones. To help reduce some of that discomfort, it's a good idea to switch to a new aligner before you go to bed. You'll sleep through some of the most noticeable discomfort by doing this.
Eat Soft Foods for the First Few Days
Your teeth tend to be a little tender in the first few days after placing a new aligner. To reduce pain and soreness, be sure to eat soft foods that don't require much biting or chewing. This seems like such a minor thing, but small things can go a long way to reducing tooth pain.
A Little Ice Doesn't Hurt If You're Feeling Sore
Still feeling a bit sore? Sucking on an ice cube can help numb the pain if you need it. Just be sure to remove your aligners when you do this and that you only suck on the ice cube and not to bite it.
The Soreness Will Be Worth It at the End of Treatment
While there is some soreness associated with Invisalign®, the soreness will be worth it in the end given the overall improvement to the look and health of your smile. Keep that in mind as treatment continues, and be sure to wear your aligners as much as possible.
Schedule a Consultation for Invisalign® Treatment
If you want to have a smile that is straight and beautiful, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Louis Buono and the entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and discussing all of your options for advanced dental care treatment.
