Adjusting to Invisalign: What to Expect

Straighter teeth are just a few clear aligner trays away! On the day you receive your first set of Invisalign® trays at Lone Star Dental Care in Frisco and Plano, Texas, Dr. Afshin Vahadi and Dr. Vafa Mirshams ensure that your trays fit properly and answer any questions you have about taking care of your clear aligner trays.

In this article, we share additional tips for adjusting to life with Invisalign.

Does Invisalign hurt?

Traditional metal braces are notorious for causing pain as well as lacerations or blisters from the metal wires and brackets. Should you expect the same level of discomfort from Invisalign? No. 

While it’s true that all orthodontic treatments have the potential to cause discomfort 一 simply because steady pressure is necessary to shift your teeth, and this can stretch the ligaments surrounding them 一 Invisalign is clinically proven to be more comfortable than metal braces.

While some degree of discomfort is to be expected, these side effects are temporary and can often be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Day one of your Invisalign treatment

Your Invisalign treatment begins as soon as your aligners arrive. Dr. Vahadi and Dr. Mirshams help you try on your first set of trays and make sure they fit correctly.  During this appointment, we provide:

• Instructions for taking care of your trays
• Instructions for proper usage and eating guidelines
• The timeline for switching your trays (often 1-2 weeks)

You should expect to wear your trays for 22-plus hours each day. You may remove them to eat or to brush and floss your teeth. 

Planning for your initial adjustment period

During the first few days, you may experience slight discomfort or soreness as your teeth begin to shift into place. The soreness comes from your ligaments stretching and encouraging bone remodeling. This is a good thing: It means that your new smile is in progress! The discomfort can make it tempting to remove your trays for a “break,” but this can delay your progress — and your adjustment period. The more consistently you wear your trays, the faster you will get used to wearing them. 

Here are a few strategies for relief during this time:

• Cold compresses on your cheeks
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Applying orthodontic wax on any affected soft tissues 

Remember that your tongue, lips, and cheeks will grow accustomed to your clear aligner trays over time. 

Planning for your adjustments with new trays

The success of your Invisalign treatment is based on the gradual succession from one tray to the next. When you move on to the next set of clear aligners, there is the potential for discomfort, especially in the first few hours of wearing them. When it’s time for a new tray, consider switching out trays right before you go to bed. This way, you’ll sleep through those first few hours in your new trays. 

Adjusting to life with Invisalign

It’s no secret that you’ll need to wear your trays for the majority of the day. This means you may need to remove them to eat lunch while you’re at work or school. To make this process easier, make an Invisalign kit to stash in your purse or backpack. Your kit should include:

• A travel-size toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• A hard case to store your trays while you’re eating

Pop these items into a small bag, and you’ll always be ready for freshening up your mouth at work or school. 

Dreaming of straighter teeth? If so, call our Frisco, Texas, office to schedule your Invisalign consultation today. Don’t forget: you can also request a consultation online any time.