Many patients report that Invisalign is an easier way to straighten out your smile than traditional braces, but it can still affect a patient’s day-to-day life. According to one study, 93% of patients did not develop any speech impediments while wearing their clear aligners. If you’re one of those patients who do experience speaking issues during Invisalign treatment, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the problem. Here’s how Invisalign can affect the way you speak and what you can do about it.
What Speaking Issues Can Invisalign Patients Have?
Invisalign requires patients to wear clear plastic aligners over their dental arches. While these appliances are thin, they still add mass to and change the shape of your teeth, affecting the way air flows over them when words are formed during speech. Retainers, traditional braces, and other oral appliances can have similar effects.
Invisalign Can Give You a Slight Lisp
A lisp is a speech defect that causes the “s” and “z” sounds to be pronounced the same as the “th” sound. This can happen when airflow from the mouth is disrupted by the position of the tongue. A patient who develops a lisp when they put in a new set of aligners will usually find that the problem goes away as they get used to speaking with them. If you are having a persistent problem with lisping when wearing Invisalign, practicing difficult words can help you reduce or eliminate the issue.
Invisalign Can Alter Your Speech Style
When a patient starts wearing a new set of clear aligners, they may have to speak more slowly to avoid slurring words until they get used to the appliances. While this can be an awkward situation, speaking more can help them get back to their normal manner of speech, as this will allow the tongue to learn where the aligners are and how to form words around them more effectively.
While dealing with altered speech habits can be awkward or even frustrating, the benefits of completing an Invisalign treatment far outweigh these inconveniences. Patients usually find that any difficulties they have when speaking with Invisalign disappear as they get more practice and that the transition to a new set of aligners is less awkward each time it happens. With a little patience, you can speak normally with Invisalign and enjoy a beautifully straightened smile afterward.
About the Author
Dr. Sung-Hee Lee earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Baylor College of Dentistry and has completed many postdoctoral courses focused on orthodontic treatments and dental implants. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Her office in Dallas, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign. For more information on speaking comfortably when wearing Invisalign, contact her office online or dial (972) 481-8800.