One of the most frequent questions that patients ask us about Invisalign at Lyons Orthodontics is whether Inisalign treatment is painful. This question is usually asked by parents who are haunted by the pain they experienced back in the day when they wore metal braces. We understand that no parent wants their child to experience pain. Rest assured, you will not feel as much pain as the traditional braces used to cause, just a small amount of discomfort here and there.
Sources of Mild Discomfort With Invisalign
Since Invisalign trays are designed to move teeth from their current positions to the more desirable positions, it is normal to feel some discomfort during the initial stages of this movement.
For some people, a minimal amount of discomfort is felt as a result of the aligners rubbing against their teeth. This soreness normally subsides as one gets used to having these Invisalign aligners in the mouth.
How to Alleviate Invisalign Pain and Discomfort
The professionals at Lyons Orthodontics in El Dorado Hills, CA explain that Invisalign aligners were designed to address the shortcomings of metal braces. For this reason, there are many steps that can be taken by your El Dorado Hills orthodontists to alleviate any pain that you may feel during their orthodontic treatment. These helpful measures include the following:
1. Smoothening the Edges
Some Invisalign pain can be due to sharp or rough portions existing on the edges of the aligners. If you bring such an anomaly to the attention of the experts at Lyons Orthodontics, the edges will be smoothed and the problem will be no more.
2. Painkillers to Relieve Invisalign Discomfort
Sometimes, your orthodontist may recommend painkillers to help eliminate the pain you feel during the first days when you wear a new set of aligners. Most people feel that the discomfort is managable and opt out of taking painkillers.
3. A Cold Compress
Using a cold compress is a remedy that patients can safely make use of at home when their Invisalign aligners are causing discomfort. This cold compress should not be left in place for more than 10-15 minutes. Use the cold compress as many times throughout the day as you can so that the pain can be kept at bay.
4. Adjust the Switchover Timing
Another tip that our Lyons Orthodontics team suggests, is that patients are deliberate about when they change out their clear aligner trays. We have found that the Invisalign discomfort some people complain about is at its worst during the first 24 hours. This is due to the exerting pressure on your teeth when the new tray is exerting pressure on the teeth to move. For that reason, they recommend that you switch your new trays just before you go to bed. In this way, the tray will adjust your teeth while you sleep and there will be minimal discomfort when you wake up.
5. Adjust Your Food Choices
When you have just switched to a different set of aligners, try to avoid crunchy, crispy and chewy foods. Instead, opt for softer foods that will not put an added strain on your teeth as you chew. This change will minimize the discomfort that you feel during your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign aligners.
Contact Lyons Orthodontics if you feel pain while wearing Invisalign aligners. Our experienced professionals will assess your condition and recommend the best remedy so that the discomfort or pain that you feel doesn’t stand in the way of attaining the objectives of the orthodontic treatment that you are undergoing.