While Invisalign may be more comfortable than metal braces, there’s still a chance that you may experience mild pain or discomfort. Our CCOA team is here to explain how you can minimize this discomfort.
Pain with Invisalign
Invisalign may cause mild pain at the beginning of treatment and every time you switch to a new tray because the device is designed to help gradually straighten your teeth.
The first week
Any pain or discomfort you feel from Invisalign tends to be temporary, with the greatest risk being within the first week of using your new aligners. Most patients will take roughly a week to adjust the trays then their discomfort tends to go away.
How painful can it be?
In general, pain is reported to be mild and temporary. One of the biggest complaints of Invisalign wearers was discomfort during chewing.
While Invisalign can cause mild and temporary pain overall, not every patient will experience pain. However, you may be more likely to experience pain from dental aligners if you have:
- A lower tolerance to pain overall
- Sensitive teeth
- Sensitive gums and gingivitis
Pain in just one tooth
Our CCOA dentists have had patients report that they are experiencing pain in just one tooth. While this seems odd, it is no cause for concern. This is usually an indication that your aligners are doing their job by gradually adjusting your teeth.
You may not feel pain in the same tooth with each aligner tray change, and any discomfort should go away within a few days.
Pain with Invisalign Vs. Braces
Overall, it is thought that Invisalign can hurt less than traditional braces. Invisalign helps realign your teeth with plastic instead of metal wires and brackets. The clear plastic used to make Invisalign may be more comfortable to wear.
Moreover, some people find the metal and wire used in traditional braces to be uncomfortable due to sharp edges and protruding parts. These may also cause pain against your gums.