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Does Invisalign Hurt?

If you want to straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners are a great choice. Also referred to as clear braces, these invisible aligners are getting more and more popular by the day, especially among adults embarrassed to wear metal braces.

These custom-made aligners can correct a lot of orthodontic issues and give you a better smile. But almost every patient who is referred to this treatment has a question- will it hurt? To find the answer, we reached out to Dr. Gies who provides Invisalign at his family dentistry in San Antonio, Tx.

Is Invisalign Painful?

The answer to the question is no, Invisalign isn’t as painful as you think it might be. Discomfort is a more suitable word to describe the feeling as most patients experience only mild soreness. 

But will the treatment be devoid of any pain? Absolutely not. The treatment is designed to straighten your teeth, reduce overcrowding and improve bite by shifting your teeth into perfect alignment.

Every few weeks you will be given a new set of aligners. And these aligners are designed to put pressure on your teeth and move them in a certain direction. So you are bound to experience a little discomfort or soreness. 

But the pain gradually fades away the longer you wear the aligners. Most Invisalign users find the first couple of weeks involves the most discomfort since your mouth is not used to having braces. But slowly, the discomfort goes away and it is smooth sailing from thereon.

Then every time you receive a new set of aligners, you will notice a little soreness or discomfort for 1-2 days as the pressure is increased. But the discomfort or pain is a sign the treatment is working.

Is Invisalign More Painful Than Metal Braces?

When compared to traditional braces, the discomfort involved in Invisalign is comparatively low. 

Traditional braces have metal brackets that tend to poke your mouth and result in calluses and pain. 

But Invisalign aligners have smooth edges making them much more comfortable than the traditional metal braces. This makes Invisalign a more comfortable treatment compared to traditional braces if you have a lower pain threshold. If you are given a choice between the two, Invisalign is definitely the less painful alternative.

Tips to Ease Invisalign Discomfort

Here are some tips that will help ease the discomfort that occurs during the first few days of Invisalign treatment.

1.    Eat soft foods. 

It is best to avoid eating hard or crunchy food items during the first few days of treatment to reduce the pressure on your teeth when you bite or chew the food.

2.    Wear new aligners at night

Since the soreness or pain is highest during the first few hours of wearing a new aligner, it is recommended to wear them at bedtime. This way, you will sleep through the initial period of high discomfort.

3.    Use a cold compress.

You can apply a cold compress to numb the area and reduce soreness. Sipping on cold juices, sucking on ice cubes, or eating icy foods can also help ease the discomfort.

4.    Take painkillers

In the rare case of the discomfort disrupting your daily activities, you can take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or ask your dentist to prescribe one for you.

If you need Invisalign in the San Antonio area, do consult Dr. Gies at the Gies Family Dental clinic in San Antonio, Tx. With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Gies and his team will help you achieve a beautiful smile that you can flaunt with pride. So schedule your appointment at Gies Dental Clinic right away!

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