If you are considering Invisalign® to help give you a straighter smile, you might be wondering if there are side effects that come with treatment. Our CCOA dentists are here to explain what you might experience during your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign can be an ideal orthodontic treatment for adults, children, and teens. Even if your teeth seem as though they would be a significant challenge, or if you are worried about your teenager's permanent teeth are still growing in, Invisalign may still be a suitable treatment.
From a simple straightening or a bigger fix, Invisalign can help to correct many orthodontic issues and help give patients straighter and healthier smiles. So, is Invisalign right for you
Benefits of Invisalign
While Invisalign does share the same goal as standard braces, they do offer some benefits that can make them an appealing choice for some patients. Some of these benefits include:
- No dietary changes are required as you can simply take your aligners out of your mouth to eat.
- No loss of self-confidence becuase aligners are discrete.
- Less frequent visits to the orthodontist than standard braces.
"Side Effects" of Invisalign
You wouldn't think that something that looks like a mouthguard would come with downfalls and in many cases, there are no adverse situations but every patient's treatment is different and some have minimal side effects that should still be considered before beginning treatment.
Headaches
Some individuals who undergo Invisalign treatment will experience headaches. Patients who do experience headaches typically only have them during the beginning of their treatment. These side effects normally occur because patients aren’t used to the pressure of having aligners on their teeth for an extended period of time.
With patients getting used to having their Invisalign aligners in their mouths and the aligners only applying gentle pressure, many patients don’t report the onset or recurrence of these side effects at all.
Soreness or discomfort
When you begin your Invisalign treatment, you may experience some mouth soreness or discomfort as your mouth adjusts to the aligners. This may happen again as you get new aligners throughout your treatment plan. This discomfort is easily managed with over-the-counter medication and will go away quickly in most cases.
Most patients who have experienced both traditional metal braces and Invisalign report that the soreness associated with Invisalign is much more subtle than the soreness with metal braces.
Weight loss
So many people have lost weight after starting their Invisalign treatment that there’s a phenomenon known as the Invisalign Diet. The Invisalign Diet came about naturally, and it’s the result of many patients preferring to eat less often to avoid having to brush their teeth and clean their aligners any more than absolutely necessary. While some people may be eager to get Invisalign aligners simply because they may help them lose weight, you can follow the Invisalign Diet without actually getting aligners.
If you’re going to undergo Invisalign treatment and are concerned about losing weight, consult your primary care physician or a nutritionist to see what you can do to maintain your weight during treatment. The answer is often as simple as adding a protein shake to your regularly scheduled meals and/or snacks.
Allergic Reaction
While extremely rare, Invisalign aligners can cause an allergic reaction which is often attributable to the proprietary material they’re made with. In general, an allergic reaction to Invisalign aligners is usually mild and simply causes minor gum irritation which will resolve itself quickly. If the gum irritation persists or you have a headache or nausea for several days, contact a CCOA member practice.
Is Invisalign Worth It?
If you want straighter teeth, a little discomfort may have to be endured. Speak to your dentist to learn more about Invisalign so you can understand if it is the right treatment for you. If you chose to start the Invisalign treatment process, you may feel that the benefits outweigh the downfalls because the outcome is a straighter smile that you can feel proud of.