Clear dental aligners such as Invisalign have grown in popularity over the years as an alternative to traditional metal braces. These aligners are plastic trays that are worn over the teeth to slowly straighten them.
Since they don’t involve wearing brackets and wires that can rub against your lips and gums, they are often more comfortable than traditional braces, but there is still a chance that you will experience some pain and discomfort. The first week of wearing Invisalign trays has the potential to be the most painful since you’ll still be getting used to wearing them, but the level of pain and discomfort you will feel will depend on your individual pain tolerance. There’s a chance that you won’t feel any pain at all.
If you do still feel significant pain after the first week of your Invisalign treatment, you may have a more serious underlying condition that your orthodontist can check for.
Pain During Your First Week
Invisalign works by gradually shifting and straightening your teeth, which can feel uncomfortable and even painful at first. However, this pain is likely to be temporary and will go away as you become accustomed to wearing your aligners.
The amount of pain that you feel during the first few days of each new Invisalign tray will likely depend on your own pain tolerance. One study reported that 54% of Invisalign patients reported experiencing mild pain, while 35% felt no pain at all. You may also feel pain in just one tooth, which is a sign that the treatment is working. The pain you feel is that tooth shifting into its proper alignment.
One of the biggest complaints among Invisalign patients was mild discomfort during chewing. This was reported by 44% of patients in the above study.
Invisalign requires patients to switch to new trays every two weeks, so it is possible that you will feel some pain and discomfort with each new tray for about two or three days. Again, this is temporary and should go away once you become accustomed to your new trays. Until you get used to your new aligners, you can always treat your pain with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or apply dental wax to the edges of the aligners that are rubbing against your lips or gums.
When Pain is a Concern
Although the pain associated with Invisalign is usually mild, some patients may experience pain or discomfort beyond the first two weeks of their treatment. Contact your orthodontist if this is the case for you. You should also contact your orthodontist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Pain when eating or swallowing food or liquids
- Facial swelling
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to schedule a consultation with South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics to learn more about Invisalign, call us today or fill out our online form, and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
