How Will Invisalign Affect My Life?

Minneapolis, MN – Undergoing orthodontic treatment is a big decision, and if you’re choosing it as an adult, you’re probably wondering what kind of an effect it will have on your life. Your St. Paul Invisalign provider explains how the treatment will impact your life.

“When discussing this, I always start by congratulating them on their decision,” says the Minneapolis orthodontist. “Orthodontic treatment, whether it is Invisalign or another type of braces, will positively impact your oral health. Straight teeth aren’t just prettier – they’re healthier, too. It can be hard to clean crooked and overlapped teeth, so choosing orthodontic treatment is a step in the right direction.”

Once you know you’re making a good decision, you’re probably wondering things such as will the treatment hurt, how long will it take, how will it impact your life? Your doctor answers some of her most commonly asked questions.

1. How long will my treatment take.
   The exact length of your treatment will depend on your unique situation. The average Invisalign case takes about 12 months, but yours could be longer, or shorter. It’s important never to compare your treatment to anyone else’s because every mouth and malocclusion is different and will respond differently to treatment.
2. Will Invisalign treatment be painful?
   While the smooth, plastic aligners used in Invisalign treatment won’t irritate your mouth as the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces can, there is some discomfort involved in straightening teeth. Every time you switch to a new series of aligners, you may experience mild discomfort for a day or so. But don’t worry, this means the treatment is working!
3. Will I talk funny with the aligners in?
   People often wonder if Invisalign will affect their speech, as they have memories of an awkward teenager wearing a retainer. You may notice a slight lisp in your speech when you first use your aligners, but as you get used to them, this will go away. It takes a bit of time for your tongue to get used to the aligner, but as soon as it does, you’ll be just fine.
4. Can I stain the aligners?
   It is possible for Invisalign aligners to discolor slightly, making them noticeable rather than invisible. For that reason, it is recommended not to smoke while in treatment, or to drink anything with the aligners in that could stain them, such as red wine or coffee. Likewise, never drink hot beverages with the aligners in, as the temperature could warp the plastic aligners, changing the way they fit in your mouth.
5. Can I take my aligners out for a big occasion?
   Your doctor has discussed this in other blogs, but the short answer to this is no. For Invisalign to work properly, the aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day. Once you make the decision to remove it for one occasion, it becomes easier to find other times to remove the aligner.

“Invisalign is a wonderful way for teens and adults to straighten their smile and improve their oral health,” says your doctor. “By following your orthodontist’s recommendations, you’ll have a gorgeous new smile in no time.”

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