If you are familiar with traditional metal braces, you probably know that this orthodontic treatment comes with a certain amount of pain. Invisalign or clear aligners are usually advertised as being pain-free or less painful than metal braces. However, do clear aligners hurt? Invisalign does hurt but it is less painful than traditional braces. And once your teeth have adjusted to wearing the aligners and to having new aligners swapped in and out, the pain will fade. These aligners create movements that might cause a few minor aches that are easily manageable.
Common Types of Pain Associated with Aligners
If you are considering getting clear aligners, it is good to know what to expect from them:
- Pain that is caused by tooth movement and aligner fit. Many of those who have clear aligners experience minor discomfort during the course of their aligner treatment. Typically, the pain is described as pressure or tenderness. The discomfort is often noticed while wearing the aligners or triggered they are taken in and out to eat and clean. But, the presence of this minor discomfort indicates that your treatment is working. Pressure is required to realign your teeth and it is a part of how Invisalign aligners work.
- Irritation in the gums and tongue. Some aligners have an edge with positioning or length might that might rub against your tongue, cheek, gums, or the floor of your mouth. You will feel a significant amount of irritation, so you must try to control the rubbing early on. But, Invisalign aligners are less irritating to the soft tissues in the mouth than traditional wire braces and brackets. Consult your orthodontist to know more about the kinds of acceptable changes for your aligners and mouth.
How to Alleviate Invisalign Pain
The majority of patients only experience any discomfort during the first few days after putting in a new set of aligners. But, if you continue to feel uncomfortable in your aligners throughout your entire treatment, you can take pain relievers, especially if the pain is due to inflammation and irritation as the aligners push against your teeth. If you experience pain because you tense your jaw or grind your teeth, you will want to take a pain reliever that relaxes the muscles. Consult your dentist if you are not sure what to take. And if you experience pain in relation to the edges of the aligners, you can get it remedied by bringing the aligners to your orthodontist to be smoothed out.
