How Badly Does Invisalign Hurt?

Questioning “Does Invisalign Hurt?” is a common reaction for a lot of people looking into the treatment. While there may be some minor pain at the start of the Invisalign treatment, it will usually pass within two days. Moreover, it is generally far more preferable to the discomfort some patients experience during alternative treatments. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners don’t have any sharp metal or wire parts.

Teeth Straightening Pain: Does Invisalign Hurt?

The Invisalign treatment comprises a series of custom-made clear aligners that use gentle pressure to create a straighter smile. The trays are removable and almost completely invisible. There are plenty of stories online about how painful Invisalign may or may not be, and everyone’s experience is different. After all, we all have different comfort levels.

Invisalign can cause mild discomfort, but the pain is generally lesser than that of metal braces. Just as with any other kind of orthodontic treatment, the pain will fade once the teeth adjust to wearing the trays. This is usually after the first few days.

What Type of Pain Can You Expect?

The most common type of pain experienced with Invisalign aligners is the soreness that comes from the pressure of the trays pressing against teeth. While the edges of the aligners are not sharp, they can be slightly irritating to the gums and insides of the lips as a patient becomes accustomed to wearing them. Usually the first couple of weeks are the worst. After this, the mouth will adjust to wearing the aligners and may develop a few necessary callouses to prevent further irritation.

By the time a patient is ready for the next set of aligners, their mouth will have adjusted to wearing the retainers. The pain therefore lessens, or completely disappears.

Remember, the goal with Invisalign treatment is to shift teeth into a straighter, healthier smile. To do this, the aligner trays must put gentle and constant pressure on the teeth for the duration of treatment, usually between 6-18 months. Fortunately, the soreness, or tenderness, doesn’t last very long at all – just the amount of time it takes for the teeth to become accustomed to a new set of trays. It can be described as a mild discomfort that patients often get used to fairly quickly. If you know you have a low pain tolerance, there are some ways to counteract the pain. This includes putting the new retainers in just before bed. With a health professional’s permission, Paracetamol can also lessen the discomfort.

So, does Invisalign hurt? It can cause discomfort at first, but it does subside.