What to Expect in the First Few Weeks of Invisalign

Invisalign is a groundbreaking orthodontic treatment for minor and medium alignment problems. It is used successfully at every age to correct an underbite, overbite, misaligned teeth, and other problems. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign is discreet, it can be removed for easy cleaning, and can solve the problem quickly if you wear it for the recommended amount of time. 

When getting your Invisalign treatment, you will have to wear a series of clear trays that are custom made to fit your teeth and, little by little, realign the ones that are not perfectly straight. The aligners are worn for about 22 hours a day, putting a certain amount of pressure on your teeth in order to change their position. 

Here is what to expect in the first few weeks of Invisalign treatment. 
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Weeks 1 and 2 of Invisalign

During the first week of wearing your Invisalign clear tray, you will likely feel some soreness due to the system actively pushing your teeth into their new position. This can hurt at first, and your dentist may prescribe some mild pain relievers in case, but the discomfort will go away once you get used to the trays. 

You will also have to get used to the maintenance routine, as it’s very important to keep your teeth and the trays very clean, all the time. You have to remove the trays every time you eat or drink something (except water) and clean your teeth before putting the aligners back on.

During the first few weeks, your tongue can become irritated as it becomes accustomed to the Invisalign trays. It’s normal to take some time before you’re used to the system, but it should start to feel relatively natural after the first few sets of aligners. 
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Weeks 3 and 4 of Invisalign

When week 3 begins, you are most likely switching to the second set of aligners (they are changed every two weeks, in the majority of cases). Again, because there is a new angle on the teeth that need correcting, you might feel some pressure and even pain for the first few days, and the trays might be a bit harder to take off before meals. 

Keep the cleaning routine and do your best to wear the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day - otherwise, your treatment will simply be prolonged. 
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Interested in Getting Invisalign?

We at Green Leaf Dental successfully use Invisalign for older teenagers and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Schedule an appointment today to be consulted by Dr. Yoni, Dr. Bean, and their wonderful team.

We will take highly accurate 3D images of your teeth and run simulations so you can see the final results. Our dentists in Seattle will also make sure that your Invisalign treatment is as comfortable and efficient as possible. Contact us for more information!