If you’re looking for the perfect solution to straighten your teeth, I’m sure you’ve heard about the wonders that Invisalign can do for you. However, many people are put off booking that all-important first consultation due to concerns surrounding the question — “does Invisalign hurt?”
There’s always a lot of gossip and rumours about the dentist. This can lead to unnecessary anxiety, which in turn leads to missing out on the opportunity to have the smile you have always wanted. Nobody likes pain or discomfort, but people want straight great looking teeth. Luckily for you, many of these rumours of mild discomfort are entirely false.
Invisalign does not hurt, but it can cause some temporary aching or discomfort every time you get a new Invisalign aligner tray because the aligner will be applying some light pressure to your teeth to move them into the desired position. Invisalign is the least painful way to straighten your teeth and the results are well worth the mild aching sensation you may get for a day or two whenever you change your aligner. This aching is easily managed with over the counter pain medication.
During Invisalign treatment, there are four opportunities where the question usually pops up. These are during interproximal reduction (IPR), attachment placement, after aligner changes, and retention, so we’ll cover them all.
In this article, the experts at Smile Stories will look at the stages of the Invisalign treatment and every step where you ask, “does Invisalign hurt?” You may be pleased with the results.
Does IPR for Invisalign Hurt?
Does Invisalign Hurt with Attachments?
Do the Invisalign Aligners Hurt?
Does Invisalign Hurt During Retention?
IPR stands for interproximal reduction. We do IPR during Invisalign treatment if you have crowded teeth. It’s the reshaping of the sides’ surfaces, the part of the teeth which touch those next door. The aim here is to create a little more space in your mouth to relieve the crowding and allow for straightening.
The IPR stage doesn’t hurt, but it does feel like a funny sensation. We pass thick floss between your teeth, and the friction created can feel weird.
If you need IPR it’s normally done on the first fitting appointment and every few months throughout your treatment.
Attachments are small buttons of composite filling material temporarily cemented onto the fronts of your teeth while you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment. They give the Invisalign aligner trays something to push against to help your teeth move.
Placing Invisalign attachments is straightforward. Your teeth are washed and dried, and then the attachment is placed.
There will be no pain and discomfort, but the air may be slightly sensitive on some teeth. If you have a sensitive tooth, let your dentist know before application and they can easily prevent any cold sensitivity pain.
You will have a slight ache every time you change your Invisalign aligner tray. Cherish this ache. It means that your teeth are straightening, and your smile transformation is taking place! This happens as your new aligner tray puts pressure on the teeth.
The ache only lasts a few days. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen, and this will be enough to take the edge off. If, for some reason, the pain doesn’t go away, then get in touch with our friendly team of cosmetic dentists who will be able to provide any Invisalign pain relief.
Occasionally there may be a sharp edge on an aligner from the manufacturing process. If this is the case, call your cosmetic dentist to smooth this down. Alternatively, a nail file will also do the trick.
Retention is the process of holding your teeth into position after they’re straight. It stops them from relapsing and ruining all the hard work they have put in. And again, no, it doesn’t hurt is the straight answer.
Retention is either done with trays similar to what you’ll have been wearing, a fixed wire behind your teeth or a combination of both.
If you opt for removable trays, you’ll be used to them. If you use a fixed wire, your tongue may be irritated by it for a few days, but this soon stops.
Invisalign is generally an uncomplicated, pain-free process that has delivered straight teeth to millions of Invisalign is generally an uncomplicated, pain-free process that has delivered straight teeth to millions of people worldwide, ever since its development in 1995. Don’t let rumours and gossip hold you back from trying this revolutionary teeth straightening technique. Get the smile of your dreams without the pain and inconvenience caused by traditional braces.
If you are interested in starting a smile transformation of your own, these Invisalign braces are the way to go. When you come and see our smile architects, we will give you your very own smile report and a detailed breakdown of how we intend to get the results you want.
Discover a lifetime of smile confidence, the pain-free way with Invisalign at Smile Stories. Contact us today and book your free video consultation.
Discover a lifetime of smile confidence, the pain-free way with Invisalign at Smile Stories. Contact us today and book your free video consultation.