The Invisalign Lisp: Reality or Myth?

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If you are reading this, you have probably heard of the so-called Invisalign lisp. But is it really a fact that everyone who gets Invisalign clear aligners will have a lisp for the duration of their Invisalign treatment, or is it really more of an urban legend?

The Invisalign treatment is an appealing option if you are looking to achieve straighter teeth without having to wear traditional metal braces. But are Invisalign trays the right dental appliances for you if they cause you to have a slight lisp?

In this article, we are going to explore what can cause someone undergoing Invisalign treatment to have a lisp, as well as hopefully relay your fears about ending up with a permanent lisp following your orthodontic treatment.

If this sounds like something you would like to know, then keep on reading.

What is it about orthodontic treatment that can cause lisping?

When you first start wearing Invisalign aligners, you may notice a slight lisp to your speech. And even if this unwelcome speech impediment is extremely minor, it is likely to be very noticeable to you. And understandably, you will want to get rid of any speech impediments you are experiencing as quickly as possible.

Of course, dealing with an unexpected speech impediment as a consequence of getting your teeth straightened is bad news, but the good news is that the lisping caused by your new Invisalign trays is usually very, very temporary and easy to correct.

In fact, the primary reason why some Invisalign patients report experiencing speech difficulties while wearing their orthodontic appliances is that they are simply not used to having them. Even though Invisalign trays are made from very thin plastic, they can still feel like a bit of an impediment to the way your tongue and mouth usually work. 

But as with anything new and slightly uncomfortable, we recommend giving it a few weeks to see how you are faring. In most cases, Invisalign patients go through a brief adjustment period, after which their speech impediments caused by the unfamiliar dental appliance will have faded completely into the background. 

Getting rid of your Invisalign lisp is very much a matter of just getting used to wearing your orthodontic appliance. For this reason, simply practicing your pronunciation by for example reading aloud can be a great way of quickly adjusting to having thin plastic aligners in your mouth. Taking this approach, you will usually get rid of your Invisalign lisp within a very short period of time. 

If, however, you find that you are dealing with a more persistent lisp, you might have to go back to your Invisalign dentist and get him or her to check that your Invisalign aligners are fitted properly to your teeth.

Will you have a lips after you have stopepd wearing your Invisalign aligners?

If you are worried about ending up with a permanent lisp as as result of wearing Invisalign aligners, we have excellent news for you: Any slight lisp caused by Invisalign trays is going to vanish completely, and most likely much sooner than you would think.

Most Invisalign patients are able to get rid of their Invisalign lisp within days or weeks of putting in their first pair of Invisalign aligners. However, for some it can take a little longer.

In all cases, though, you will notice that any hint of a lisp is going to disappear the moment your Invisalign treatment has been completed and you are no longer wearing Invisalign trays on a daily basis.

The Invisalign lisp FAQ

Does Invisalign make you lisp?

In some cases, Invisalign patients may experience a slight lisp while wearing their new aligner trays. This is particularly common for those who have never worn an orthodontic appliance in their mouth before and are completely unaccustomed to it.

The good news is that any lisping caused by your aligner trays is usually very easy to get rid of. For the most part, it is a simple matter of adjusting to your new clear braces.

How long does it take for Invisalign lisp to go away?

Getting rid of your Invisalign lisp, i.e. getting your tongue and mouth acclimatised to your new Invisalign trays usually only takes a few hours, or perhaps a few days.

Does Invisalign lisp go away?

Yes, any slight lisp caused by Invisalign trays always goes away, usually long before you stop wearing your aligners. 

In most cases, getting rid of the lisp is a simple matter of getting used to wearing your new Invisalign trays. To speed up this process, try reading aloud and practicing your pronunciation of any words that may cause you to lisp.

If your case of Invisalign lisping is more persistent, schedule an appointment with your Invisalign dentist and ask him or her to check whether your clear aligners are properly fitted.

Takeaway

In conclusion: The Invisalign lisp is a thing, but it is nothing to worry about.

In the vast majority of cases, getting rid of any slight speech impediment you are experiencing while wearing your new Invisalign aligners is a simple matter of getting accustomed to your new clear braces. You can speed the process along by consciously practicing pronunciation and anticipating words that are likely to bring out the lisp.

Within a few short hours or days, you are most likely going to look back and realise that you needn’t have worried about the lisping in the first place, since it went away so easily by itself. 

Dr Febin Mary George - Editor

With more than 10 years as a dental surgeon, Dr Febin Mary George is passionate about educating consumers around the world to help look after their teeth.

She completed her Bachelor of Surgery at the Century Institute of Dental Science and Research Centre in 2010.

Alongside editing the International Journal of Dental Clinics she has also written for major publications including Thrive Global.