February 2, 2025
Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm, and more patients than ever before are opting to use these clear aligners to achieve their orthodontic goals. However, some patients encounter one particular challenge when navigating the Invisalign process: speaking while wearing their aligners! Fortunately, these issues rarely last and are normally quite easy to overcome. Here’s what you need to know.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign does the very same job as traditional braces but works a little differently. Instead of relying on metal brackets and wires to move the teeth, Invisalign patients advance through sets of clear plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth. They’re custom-fitted for each patient’s smile, and as they’re worn, they apply gentle, gradual pressure to the teeth, encouraging movement over the course of several months.
One of the major perks of Invisalign treatment is the fact that these aligners are also fully removable, meaning that oral hygiene is unaffected, there are no dietary restrictions, and patients can smile freely without worrying about disruptive, noticeable hardware inside their mouths.
Will Invisalign Make Speaking Difficult?
Most patients who wear Invisalign aligners don’t notice many speech impediments, and surveys indicate that those who did experience speech issues rarely had lasting or persistent trouble. Any alterations that were experienced tended to be minimal and resolved fairly quickly.
However, it is still possible to encounter some speech alterations, including slight lisps when pronouncing “s” and “z” sounds. Some patients may also speak more slowly at first and slur their words as they become accustomed to the feel of the aligners. However, these issues can and should clear up on their own anywhere within a few hours to a couple of weeks.
How Can I Ensure a Smooth Treatment Process?
In any case, completing your Invisalign journey with few to no setbacks should be your primary goal, and while speech alterations might feel frustrating during the moment, they won’t last forever. Plus, there are some tips you can implement to make speaking with Invisalign easier, including:
- Practice pronouncing the letters and sounds you find most difficult, like the S’s, D’s, and C’s. Reading aloud to yourself or a close friend or partner is an excellent way of practicing.
- Speak slowly; don’t rush through your practice sessions, and when talking with others, use a slower, relaxed pace to pronounce everything correctly.
- Talking becomes easier when you maintain good posture because it allows for proper airflow through your larynx, so be sure you’re keeping your back and neck straight, whether sitting or standing!
The potential benefits of Invisalign heavily outweigh any slight and fleeting speech alterations that might occur – so if you’re ready to straighten your teeth, don’t shy away from this life-changing treatment!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Mahima Gupta, Dr. Sam Je, and Dr. Julie Jaeyoon Jeong, the talented team at Lancaster Family Smiles has served the dental needs of patients and families in the Lancaster community for several years. They offer a wide range of services, including Invisalign clear aligners for patients with orthodontic goals. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (469) 729-7707.