It’s a question we get asked ALL the time – “Will Invisalign give me a lisp?” – and while it may seem like a silly concern, we absolutely get it. One of the major benefits of Invisalign in Houston, TX is the ability to straighten teeth and correct bite issues discreetly. It wouldn’t be very discreet if you thtarted thpeaking with a lithp!
The Adjustment Period
When you get started with Invisalign, there is an adjustment period. After all, you are wearing something thicker than your natural teeth which can take some getting used to. During your initial consult with Dr. Ellison – we make sure to go through everything you can expect when starting this orthodontic treatment. Even though your
Invisalign aligners are custom fit to your teeth, you may notice a change in the way you speak for a few days until your tongue learns the new position to go to make s and t sounds. If you are wearing the aligners all day and night every day this process only
takes a few days at most. Every patient is different, some may not have any problems adjusting their speech with their aligners – others may take some time. However, there is one way to make sure that the lisp – or any speech changes – don’t last too long . . .
Wear Your Aligners
After the first few weeks of wearing your Invisalign aligners, you will schedule a check-in appointment with Dr. Ellison. This allows the dental team to check your progress and give you your next series of aligners. During this visit, we can also determine whether or not you have been wearing your aligners as instructed. If you continue to have a lisp after the first few weeks, this is a sure sign that you may not be wearing the aligners for the length of time every day (a minimum of 22 hours daily).
Our team will ask you questions about your comfort level with the aligners and things
like: how often are you wearing them, how often do you take them out for eating or speaking, do you remember to put them back in, etc. At this point, we may be able to pinpoint the exact problem that is causing your lisp – which in most cases – is simply that you are not wearing them!
Let Us Guide You
The entire team at Susan Ellison Dentistry & Cosmetics is here for your dental success. Our desire for you is to help you attain the most beautiful smile and have the best dental health for the rest of your life. If you have questions about Invisalign – or other dental/orthodontic issues – please schedule a consult or appointment with us today. Let us guide you through the process and give you the confidence you have always wanted.