It is your dream to live life with a straighter smile. For years, you’ve struggled with gaps that not only hindered your appearance but also caused problems with your oral health. Now that you are preparing for treatment with clear aligners, you finally feel hopeful about your future. But as you near the start of your orthodontic process, you may start to wonder if Invisalign will cause you to speak differently. You want a discreet solution, but will it be noticeable because of the way you talk? A dentist is here to explain what you can expect so that you are better prepared.
Can Invisalign Aligners Cause Changes in Speech?
Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces because they are subtle and virtually undetectable. However, when you begin wearing your aligners, you may notice that you sound a bit “funny.” Your speech may not be quite as clear as before, causing you to become self-conscious about your situation.
Some of the most common changes you may notice include:
- A minor lisp
- Slurring
- Slow speech
The good news is that this is only temporary and will dissipate once your mouth becomes more accustomed to your new aligners.
What Can You Do to Quicken the Adjustment Phase?
While you might wish you could improve your speech clarity the moment you start wearing your Invisalign aligners, it will take some time, requiring you to be patient. But you don’t have to just sit around and wait for it to get better. There are some helpful tips and tricks you can adopt to quicken the process so that you sound “normal” sooner.
You might try:
- Speaking slower in the beginning so that you can properly enunciate certain words and sounds more clearly.
- Reading a book to yourself so that you can practice. It might also be helpful to do this in front of a mirror so that you can see how your mouth moves while speaking various words and phrases.
- Talking with family and friends who understand the situation and want to help you overcome this challenging aspect of treatment.
- Recording the way you sound when you speak with Invisalign. This will allow you to listen to the way you say specific words so that you can practice them over time and make them clearer.
A slight change in your speech patterns while wearing Invisalign is normal. If you want to minimize the reactions of others during the initial phase of treatment, make sure to use these tips to spend less time focusing on the way you talk and more time excited about your future smile.
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington moved to Castle Rock in 2002 and opened his practice. As a skilled dentist and professional who provides Invisalign to patients with misaligned smiles, he and his team work together to develop personalized treatment plans and provide helpful tips to individuals who need assistance moving through treatment. If you want to learn more about what you can do to adjust to your new Invisalign trays, visit our website or call (360) 703-9092.