If you're considering Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, you may be wondering if the aligners will impact your ability to speak. Here, our Surrey dentists offers their top tips for getting used to talking while wearing Invisalign aligners.
Almost any dental or orthodontic appliance has the potential to affect your speech. Orthodontic appliances that add extra thickness to the roof of your mouth or the backs of your front teeth are most likely to cause minor speech issues; that's exactly where your Invisalign aligners will sit.
So, is Invisalign likely to cause speech impediments?
Not very likely at all! Invisalign aligners are made from very thin clear plastic which makes any impact they may have on your speech relatively minor; meaning they are unlikely to cause speech impediments.
When you first have your Invisalign aligners placed for treatment, you might notice a slight lisp when you talk, particularly when you make “s” or “sh” sounds.
This mild lisp will most likely only be noticeable to you, not to anyone your speaking to, and it should gradually fade as you adjust to wearing your aligners.
That said, studies have shown that 93% of Invisalign patients reported no difficulties with speech while wearing their aligners. So, you probably don’t need to worry!
Are there any tips to reduce a speech impediment, if I have one, while wearing Invisalign?
If your Invisalign aligners cause you to talk with a slight lisp or speech impediment, just try to remember: practice makes perfect.
The fastest and easiest way to overcome any problems is by repeatedly practicing the pronunciation and enunciation of the words you are struggling with. Repeating difficult words will help you to get used to your new aligners. Some other ways to adjust to wearing your aligners are to read out loud to yourself (or to others), chat to your pets, or enjoy having conversations with family members and friends you trust.