Does Invisalign hurt?

The legacy of traditional metal braces makes many people ask whether Invisalign treatments hurt. While the pain involved with any orthodontic treatment may not be particularly severe, Invisalign is almost universally less painful than traditional metal braces. Of course, any procedure that physically moves and straightens the teeth comes with at least some discomfort. Once the teeth adjust to the gradual movement that Invisalign encourages, associated pain will tend to lessen. Discomfort from Invisalign can be caused by the pressure of the aligners against the teeth and also by the pressure of having Invisalign aligners in place. In addition to placing pressure on the teeth, traditional metal braces tend to rub against the inside of the mouth, scratching against the sensitive tissue of the inside of the mouth. Eventually, this sensitive tissue forms calluses that protect against this friction, but until then, traditional metal braces can be very uncomfortable. With metal braces, too, there is always a risk of metal wires snapping or popping out of their casing, which can cause them to painfully poke into the soft tissue inside the mouth. While Invisalign aligners don’t present this same risk of snapped or popped wires, their edges can irritate the gums and the inside of your mouth as you get used to wearing them. In most cases, it only takes a couple of weeks to adjust to the feeling of Invisalign and for calluses to form; once these calluses are formed, this irritation is nearly nonexistent.

As the alignment of your teeth gradually corrects with Invisalign, you will exchange the aligners for a new set. Each set is designed to slowly and gently move the teeth closer into alignment, and you can expect to swap out the aligning trays every two weeks. Because the purpose of Invisalign is to move the teeth, the only way they can work is by applying pressure to the teeth. Of course, with pressure can come discomfort. Many Invisalign wearers report that this discomfort is more pronounced for the first few days after starting with a new alignment tray, and that this soreness gradually abates as the teeth move into place, until it is time to start a new set of aligners where the teeth are closer to ideal alignment. It is unlikely that this discomfort will actually be considered painful, per se, and most Invisalign users get used to it relatively soon after beginning treatment. If, however, you know you have a particularly low pain tolerance, you may find Invisalign painful, though this is rare. Additionally, if you notice any rough or sharp edges on your Invisalign aligning trays, it’s important to communicate this with your dentist. It is common for people to run their tongues along the surfaces of their teeth as they become accustomed to Invisalign. If the edges of the aligners cut or irritate your tongue, this may indicate that the edges of the aligners have not been properly finished during the manufacturing process, and your dentist can easily remedy the situation.

In most cases, the discomfort of Invisalign, and of a new tray, is completely bearable and just requires a few days of grinning and bearing. If you feel uncomfortable in your Invisalign aligners for an extended period of time, however, there are ways to provide relief and respite from the discomfort or pain. Depending on the specific cause of your discomfort or pain, different over-the-counter pain medications can be very helpful. If, for example, your discomfort is specifically caused by the irritation and inflammation of pressure against the teeth, an anti-inflammatory painkiller is likely to be your best option. On the other hand, if your discomfort is caused by tension, either in the jaw or from grinding your teeth, a muscle-relaxing pain medication is more likely to relieve your discomfort. Your dentist can help you determine which pain medication will be most effective for your specific needs. Some people also find that pressure can relieve tension, and that the pressure provided by chewing can be soothing. If chewing brings you relief, feel free to chew. Some people report that cold drinks or hot drinks can be soothing; again, if this is the case, do what works for you. If you’re experiencing soreness because of roughness or sharpness on the edges of the aligners themselves, the best and most efficient remedy is to report to your dentist immediately. They will be able to smooth the edges of the aligners easily, eliminating that possible source of discomfort.

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