Since 1997, Invisalign has been the preferred way for many teens and adults to straighten their teeth and achieve healthy smiles. Its clear aligners can slowly but surely move your teeth to their proper positions. Best of all, Invisalign is removable and virtually invisible to the naked eye. Most patients report that it’s so comfortable that they often forget they are wearing it.

If you undergo Invisalign treatment, you won’t have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle. You’ll be able to take out your aligners every time you eat, drink, brush, or floss. You’ll continue to eat your favorite foods and won’t have to worry about brushing and flossing through metal brackets and wires. This is great news if you lead a busy lifestyle and would like to improve your smile in the most discreet, comfortable way possible.

So how long does Invisalign usually take? Treatment time will depend on your particular situation. However, there’s a good chance it will be about a year. Your orthodontist will give you a timeline and overview of your treatment plan in advance so that you know exactly what to expect.

While Invisalign offers many benefits, it’s certainly not perfect. Here at Sims Orthodontics, some Invisalign patients inform us that their aligners irritate their gums and lips. Rest assured this is not a huge concern and perfectly normal when you receive a new set of aligners.

Ways to Relieve Gum and Lip Irritation

Fortunately, a bit of over-the-counter pain medication like Advil can relieve any discomfort. You can take it in the initial 12 to 24 hours of when your new aligners have been placed. To avoid discomfort initially, you can also take pain medication in advance.

If you don’t want to take a pain medication, opt for a sore ointment with an ingredient called benzocaine. Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic that can serve as a bandage and stick to the gums or lips. You can also be proactive and take certain steps to prevent gum and lip irritation. Take an emery board, which features a smooth side and course side and smooth out the edges. This will improve the fit.

Another option is orthodontic wax which you can apply along the gum line near the aligner edges. You’ll find that a tiny strip of wax pushes up flat against the gums and prevents Invisalign irritation. You can purchase pain medication, sore ointment, and orthodontic wax at any drugstore and most grocery stores. Sarasota, FL dermatologist Scott Wickless gets many questions related to lip irritation. Sometimes it is as easy of a fix as getting some Chapstick.

If you experience gum and lip irritation for more than 24 hours, contact your orthodontist. This side effect should be temporary so there may be another issue. Other common side effects of Invisalign that you should be aware of include temporary speech changes, soreness, headaches, and weight loss. Many patients believe that the results of Invisalign are worth it so the side effects are no big deal.

Contact Sims Orthodontics Today

If you have further questions about the side effects of Invisalign or would like to schedule an appointment at our Pensacola orthodontics office, don’t hesitate to call us at 850-477-7715. We look forward to welcoming you back!