Can Invisalign Aligners Affect Your Speech?

Invisalign clear aligners are one of the most popular orthodontic treatments among both teens as well as adults because it redefines what straightening your smile looks like, making the process smooth, simple, and easy to incorporate into your day-to-day life. However, that doesn’t mean that prospective aligner-wearers don’t have their concerns about the process, one of the most popular being whether the trays will affect their speech. Read on to learn whether speech issues are a common effect of wearing trays and how you can combat them.  

Potential Speech Problems with Invisalign Trays

Alterations to the way you speak are a common side-effect of any oral appliance because it adjusts where your tongue hits the roof and floor of your mouth, causing you to make adjustments to your oral positioning to make certain sounds.

One of the most common speech defects that occurs as a result of Invisalign clear aligners is a slight lisp. This happens when the “s” and “z” sounds are pronounced like “th” sounds. When the tongue can’t properly get to where it needs to go, the sound that you think you’re making might not be what other people here. To compensate for this change in the mouth, some people may also speak more slowly or slur their words; however, these are only temporary impacts of undergoing treatment.

Other Life Adjustments with Invisalign Aligners

In addition to speech changes, you may have a few other life adjustments to make, some of which include:

• Brushing and flossing your teeth after each time you eat, and rinsing your trays.
• Removing your aligners before you eat or drink anything besides water.
• Carrying your protective case with you at all times to place your aligners in.
• Routine visits with your orthodontist.

As with any other orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to make some life adjustments, but the good news about clear aligners is that these alterations are minimal, and many people will agree that they’re well worth the results!

Tips for Adjusting to Speaking with Your Aligners

The important thing to keep in mind is that certain changes, like speech alteration, when you first get your aligners are temporary, and you won’t necessarily experience them throughout your treatment. Here are a few tips to help you breeze through speaking frustrations at the beginning of your journey:

• Practice reading difficult texts or saying hard words aloud
• Take your time speaking
• Talk to your pets
• Repeat sounds that you’re having difficulty saying

Practice truly makes perfect in this case, which is why it’s so important to continue speaking instead of stopping out of embarrassment! Once you adjust to the changes, you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth-sailing journey towards a straighter smile.

About the Practice

Our experienced team of professionals at Chicago Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is comprised of two orthodontists, Dr. Dale Benjamin and Dr. Amy Seagraves. They’re well-versed in what it takes to create straight and healthy smiles for patients of all ages, including teens and adults, and offer a wide array of treatment options, from traditional to clear braces. To learn more about Invisalign clear aligners and whether they’re right for you, visit our website or call 312-766-0995.