You’re not alone if you have some buyer’s remorse the first day you go home from the orthodontist with Invisalign. Foreign objects are clasped onto your teeth, they feel weird, you’re in pain, and you don’t recognize yourself when you look in the mirror. All your orthodontist asks is for you to have patience. Every major orthodontic change to your teeth takes some getting used to. Knowing what’s ahead can help you weather the adjustment more easily.
How Invisalign Feels
Braces are braces, no matter what form they come in, whether they’re Invisalign for adults or metal braces for teens. They all have the same job to do, and that is to move your teeth and their roots into new positions. This doesn’t come without some discomfort.
The initial set of Invisalign aligners will be the toughest wave to crest. You’re adjusting to the odd sensation of having something in your mouth almost constantly, and it’s uncomfortable too. But after a few days, the pain will subside to a dull ache and you’ll get used to having Invisalign on your teeth. The experience won’t be so bad anymore.
Since each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, you can expect to have some discomfort again when you start the next set and so on. The aligners are moving different teeth at different times, so the work continues as switch each set in and out, but at least you’ll know what to expect since day one initiated you quickly.
How Invisalign Looks
You’ve been told that Invisalign is practically invisible, that no one will notice it. Once you get the aligners in your mouth, you may feel like you’re sporting a whole lot of something that people could see from space. Keep in mind that this is all new to you. You are not used to housing something in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours a day. You’re not used to how you look with Invisalign in your mouth.
But, rest assured, the aligners are clear. They are highly unnoticeable, especially when compared to metal braces, and they will blend into your daily life soon enough.
You might also have a bunch of attachments applied to your teeth to help the aligners work more effectively. These won’t cause any discomfort, but they are bumpy and make your aligners stick out in silly spots. You may find yourself running your teeth over the attachments when your aligners are briefly out of your mouth.
The good thing is that neither Invisalign nor its accompanying attachments are permanent. After you go through your treatment, Invisalign is gone, the attachments are buffed off, and life goes back to normal. Any round of orthodontics requires some pain to get the gain.
Getting Used to Invisalign
The look and feel of Invisalign is a minor inconvenience compared to conventional metal braces. No brackets and wires adhered to your teeth until treatment is done. No brackets and wires breaking or jabbing at your sensitive gums and cheeks. No brackets and wires announcing their presence on your teeth. Only clear aligners.
Find out whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Contact Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, Washington, to schedule your appointment.