If you are considering Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, you may wonder if the aligners will have an impact on your ability to speak clearly. Here, our Delta dentist offer their top tips for getting used to speaking while wearing your Invisalign aligners.
Almost any dental or orthodontic appliance that adds extra thickness to the roof of your mouth, or to back of your front teeth with have an affect on how you speak. Of course, this is where your Invisalign aligners will also sit.
Is Invisalign likely to cause speech impediments?
Studies have shown that 93% of Invisalign patients reported no difficulties with speech while wearing their aligners. So overall, you probably don’t need to worry.
Invisalign aligners are made from thin plastic, which makes any impact they may have on your speech relatively minor.
That said, when you first have your Invisalign brace system placed, you might notice a slight lisp to your speech. The lisp will likely be most obvious when you make “s” or “sh” sounds.
Chances are good that this slight lisp will only be noticeable to you, and not to anyone else.
What are some tips to reduce a speech impediment, if I have one, while wearing Invisalign?
If you notice that your Invisalign aligners cause you to speak with a slight lisp or speech impediment, remember that practice makes perfect.
Practicing the pronunciation and enunciation of the words you're struggling with is the best way to overcome the problem, and get used to your new dental appliance. Reading out loud to yourself (or to others), or having conversations with friends or family members that you trust are ideal ways to gain confidence and clear up and speech impediment you might be experiencing.