Tags – Does Invisalign Affect Speech
As low profile as Invisalign aligners are, having anything in your mouth can make you speak differently.
Essentially, Invisalign is made up of plastic trays, which add thickness to the roof of your mouth and to the back and front of your teeth.
So in short, yes. Invisalign will disrupt your speech.
But, it’s not forever and it will be very minor – and that’s what you have to keep in mind.
Now, you may be wondering: “well what’s the point in wearing “invisible” braces if everyone notices I speak differently?”
However, all it takes is practice.
Let’s take a closer look at how Invisalign can affect your speech and what you can do to avoid things like a lisp.
How Will Invisalign Affect My Speech?
Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligners to shift your teeth into a new position over time.
Luckily, since these trays are thin, it means they will only have a minor impact on your speech.
For instance, you may notice a slight lisp for the first few days; where your “s”’s sound like “sh”’s or “z” sounds.
The reason this happens is because lisps are caused by improper tongue placement inside the mouth, which affects airflow and makes words sound different when spoken.
And because Invisalign alters the space in your mouth, it can cause your tongue to move differently, which affects pronunciation.
On the other hand, lisps can occur due to ill-fitting Invisalign trays, which is why it’s important to receive this treatment from only skilled and experienced dentists.
How Long Will It Last?
As with any other treatment, every patient is different.
In general though, any effects on speech should last no more than a few weeks.
For some, things like lisp can disappear after a few days.
Truth is, it all depends on how quickly your tongue gets accustomed to the aligners and how it adjusts accordingly.
If after a few weeks your speech doesn’t return to normal, you should contact your dentist as it could indicate a problem with the fit or placement of the mold.
All in all though, the benefits of a perfect smile far outweighs the minimal alterations in speech, which is just temporary.
Tips to Prevent Invisalign Lisp
As you get used to your new Invisalign tools, it’s a good idea to start practicing talking out loud.
For example, you could read out a book or sing a song, anything that will help you to find out which sounds are more difficult.
By finding this out, it will help you to adjust the way you talk as the aligners are in your mouth.
In fact, you could record your talking sessions so you can listen back and pinpoint the areas you need to work on.
As you speak, make sure you speak slowly and at a relaxed pace, as well as sitting upright in a good posture to allow for proper airflow to your voicebox.
The more you do this, the quicker you should get back to speaking the way you normally do.
Want to know more? Please get in touch today.
Check our Invisalign treatments in Leicester in the meantime.
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