I’m trying to figure out what treatment is best for me, braces or Invisalign? I was wondering if Invisalign hurts?

– Layla in Utah

Layla,

Thank you for your question. Invisalign does not hurt. It is actually a very popular treatment to straighten teeth and has a very high patient satisfaction rating. Actually, Invisalign boasts one of the highest patient satisfaction rating in dentistry.

When you go into the dentist, they will take an impression of your teeth, as well as recording data and measurements. This information is sent off to the laboratory so your clear plastic aligners are created. The impression doesn’t hurt.

Then, when your trays are ready you come back into the office to pick them up. All you do is snap the first set of trays in to get started. The first few days, you will notice that they feel snug. But they shouldn’t hurt. As your teeth move gradually into their new positions, they will loosen up. Then, in two weeks, it’s time to pop in the second set of trays. Again, they will initially feel tight until your tooth reposition. This process is repeated until your desired results are achieved.

Many people choose Invisalign over traditional metal braces because they are invisible. No one will notice you are wearing them from a conversational distance. Also, they work to straighten teeth in about half the time and they are more comfortable. You don’t have to worry about the metal brackets or wires irritating your soft tissues.