Does Invisilign Cause Pain?

[Rupert 123]

Hi! I've always wanted straighter teeth when I was younger but other children complained about braces being painful. So, that stopped my interest. I know that they have to be readjusted or tightened regularly. I want to know how Invisilign works when it comes to tightening and if it's as painful as traditional braces?

Also are there any disadvantages or side effects with Invisilign? How do the side effects of braces compare to those of Invisilign?

[Dr Ehsan J. Esfahani]

Hello Rupert,

Thank you for your post.

The short answer to your question is invisalign does NOT cause pain. When teeth are being moved, pain can be caused by the compression and tension of the ligament space present around teeth. If the compressions and tensions are too much and excessive then pain can arise and also other unwanted side effects such as root resorption. One of the big advantages of invisalign clear braces is that they are comfortable because the movements staged for each aligner are small and the forces light and continuous.

With traditional braces the wires are tightened at each visit and this can cause severe pain and discomfort. With invisalign this is not the case because no wires are used and all the aligners are made before the treatment is started and one new aligner is fitted each time you come usually once every 4-6 weeks. 1 or 2 further aligners are given to take home. Because each aligner makes a small change to the position of the teeth you should experience no pain and only occasionally some tooth soreness. When the aligners are changed every 2 weeks, they can feel tight for a couple of days.

The main disadvantage with invisalign is that it does not treat all cases effectively. It is very effective at treating mild and moderate cases and less effective at treating more complex and severe cases. You can see the results we have achieved with invisalign in the gallery section. Only a consultation and assessment will determine if your case can be treated with invisalign.

There are no side effects with invisalign which are different from other types of orthodontic appliances. Invisalign has fewer side effects than traditional braces. Traditional braces can cause tooth decay, gum disease and are more likely to cause root resorption. Most side effects with orthodontic appliances can be avoided by compliance with the orthodontists advise and instructions.