Invisalign has emerged as one of the most prevalent methods of straightening teeth in recent years. Not only are they effective, they’re also incredibly subtle, allowing you to get the teeth that you’ve always dreamed of without the need for bulky wires and brackets.
However, the relative novelty of this treatment means that people sometimes don’t really know what to expect from wearing their clear aligners. For example, you may wonder whether you could struggle with speaking easily after this treatment has been completed. If you’re curious, here’s what you should know about talking with your trays in.
Can I Speak Easily with My Clear Aligners In?
Most of us don’t remember when we learned to speak, which is why many people underestimate how complicated it is to do. The shape of your tongue, the size of your mouth, and even the width of your teeth are all incorporated into the muscle memory used when speaking. If any of those things change, it can slightly alter the way that you talk.
As you might guess, getting Invisalign can potentially cause a little bit of disruption in the way that you speak. Many patients notice a little bit of a lisp at first, which comes from the fact that the tongue isn’t able to press against your aligners as easily as they can to your teeth.
Learning to Speak Clearly Again
However, this is far from a permanent issue. Like anything, speaking fluently requires a little bit of practice. When you first get your clear aligners, you might want to set aside some time for the first few weeks to practice talking aloud, slowly and clearly. You might even want to get a friend to practice with or grab your favorite book to read aloud.
And of course, if you have a presentation where your speech quality is paramount, you can always take out your aligners beforehand. This versatility is one of the things that draws people to Invisalign in the first place; you can straighten your teeth on your schedule!
About the Author
Dr. Anil Patel
Dr. Anil Patel believes that dentistry is not only essential, it ought to be easy. He understands the lengths that people go to in order to smile their brightest, which is why he endeavors to make the care that his patients get as stress-free as it can be. Dr. Patel initially studied dentistry in India before moving to the U.S., where he received his dental degree from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in Los Angeles. He has amassed over 250 hours of continued education since.
If you have any questions about Invisalign, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (817) 717-6788.