If you're thinking about Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, you might be wondering what impact the aligners could have on your ability to speak. Our Surrey dentists offer some tips to help you adjust to speaking while wearing your Invisalign aligners.
Most orthodontic appliances have the potential to affect your speech, especially those that add extra thickness to the roof of your mouth, or to back of your front teeth, where Invisalign aligners sit.
Will Invisalign cause speech impediments?
Invisalign aligners are not likely to cause you to have a speech impediment. Invisalign aligners are made from a very thin plastic, which makes any impact they may have on your speech relatively minor.
However, when you first have your Invisalign aligners placed for treatment, you might notice that you have a slight lisp when you speak. The lisp will be most obvious when you make “s” or “sh” sounds, and will likely only be noticeable to you, and not to anyone else.
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.
Some tips to reduce a speech impediment, if you have one, while wearing Invisalign
If you notice that your Invisalign aligners cause you to speak with a slight lisp just remember: practice makes perfect.
Practicing the pronunciation and enunciation of the words that you're struggling with is the best ways to overcome the problem. It's just a matter of getting used to your new dental appliance. To get extra practice speaking with your aligners in you could try reading out loud to yourself (or to others), or having conversations with friends or family members that you trust.