If you’re considering treatment with clear aligners like Invisalign®, you may worry about aligner pain and discomfort. In fact, “Does Invisalign® hurt?” is one of our most frequently asked questions. Good news, you can stop worrying. While it’s noted that the tooth movements your aligners create might cause a few minor aches, it’s not unbearable. In fact, it’s easily managed.
Common Kinds of Aligner Pain
Pain is obviously a something we’d all prefer to avoid or at least minimise wherever possible, so it’s good to delve a little deeper as to what degree of discomfort to expect when considering aligners like Invisalign®.
Tooth Movement and Aligner Fit
Many aligners wearers experience minor discomfort during the course of their aligner treatment. Their pain is typically described as a tenderness or pressure. The feeling may vary at different times during your treatment (such as when you first start treatment, or with each new, tighter fitting aligners).
Changing Aligners
As you know, treatment in aligners like Invisalign® involves series of several aligners during the process. The discrepancy between the shape of your next aligner and the alignment of your teeth is greatest when you begin wearing your next aligner. This is when the pressure is at it’s greatest, and you may feel some discomfort. Over time, though, your teeth will start to shift and conform to fit the aligner. Any pain will subside and your mouth will relax.
Our patients report only slight discomfort when advancing through aligners – and most will find it is well worth it to see their teeth move into their desired positions.
Other experience discomfort only at certain times, such as when the aligners are taken in and out, (such as for cleaning) or when chewing on firm foods.
Pressure Means the Aligners are Working
If you do notice that some achiness when wearing your aligners, you can take some comfort that it’s a sign that they’re doing their job. Your teeth do need a small amount of pressure to realign, and while the slight pressure may not be fun, it is an essential part of the how aligners like Invisalign® work.
Tongue and Gum or other Soft Tissue Irritation
Luckily, we find that very few aligner patients experience significant irritation and that aligners like Invisalign® tend to be less irritating to the soft tissues in your mouth compared to fixed braces wires and brackets.
In some cases however, an attachment, or the edge of the aligners themselves might have a section that rubs against your cheek, tongue, the floor of the mouth or gums. If this does occur, it can cause a significant amount of irritation, especially if you don’t take steps to control the rubbing early on (more on this later).
Do Aligners like Invisalign® Hurt? What Can Be Done
If you are finding that your aligners are causing some your teeth to ache, there are a few things you can do, though, to ease that discomfort:
Start a New Set of Aligners at Night
To minimise how much discomfort you may notice, switch to your new set of aligners just before going to bed. That way, you will be fast asleep during those first tender hours.
Keep in mind that the act of taking out a new set of aligners can be uncomfortable (and sometimes difficult, if they are tight). So, if you make the change just before bedtime, your teeth will have a few hours to start moving before you have to remove your aligners, which should make the removal process much easier.
Use Gentle Biting Forces
OTC Pain Relief
Another option if you are finding that your aligners are hurting is to consider using some short-term pain relief – similar to what you might use for a headache. Please always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using something new.
Minimise Rough Edges
If you aligners are hurting due to soft tissue irritation, contact your orthodontic office for advice.
Of course, you might want to trim or smooth off the offending edges yourself. But, we recommend not endeavouring an adjustment yourself as this could impact the function of the aligners. You don’t want to risk trimming off too much that you compromise how the aligners sit over the teeth and their ability to create the tooth movements it needs to. If you damage an aligner, a new one will have to be remade and could slow down your treatment time and how long treatment takes. It’s just not worth trying to do yourself.
Wear Your Aligners Consistently
When Will the Aligner Pain Stop?
Most pain or discomfort caused by tooth movement usually eases within a few days if your aligner tray change. That’s because the pressure and tooth movement decreases, and the feeling of tightness subsides. Some patients report that keeping the tray in for as long as possible each day can help any pain and discomfort pass quicker.
If the pain feels somewhat different to what you expect, it could be a gum or tooth problem. Be sure to keep up good oral hygiene practice and book an appointment with your general dentist if the pain persists.
How long is Treatment in Aligners like Invisalign®?
Keep in mind that tooth discomfort or pain is a sign that the treatment is doing what it should. Some people get incredible results from this treatment in as little as four to six months. Others will need longer, for example – a year or more. Treatment time is very individual and will depend on your unique needs. So, just remember how amazing your smile – and your confidence – will be when the treatment comes to an end.
Summary – So, Do Aligners like Invisalign® hurt?
Overall, pain is mild, and generally not experienced constantly throughout treatment, We’ve explored some handy and quick ways to overcome the discomfort. Follow the above tips, and you’ll be on the right track to sail through your treatment!
Is Invisalign right for you?
Find out if you’re a candidate for aligner treatment like Invisalign® by booking a free assessment at Fine Orthodontist Sydney.
*If orthodontic X-rays are required, a fee of $180 applies. Treatment may not be suitable for you.
These Products are not available for purchase by the general public. They are however available to Fine Orthodontist Sydney patients. Always read the label and follow the instructions for use.
Find out more about Invisalign®:
- Learn more about Invisalign aligner treatment.
- Learn about the differences between Invisalign vs braces, and choose the best treatment for you.
- Learn more about the Invisalign pricing.
