I mostly work from. home but occasionally have to hold meetings with clients over Zoom. I have been considering getting Invisalign to finally straighten my teeth. However I am worried about how it will impact my speech. Will I have trouble with clear speech?
Marta
Dear Marta,
It is understandable that you want to look and sound confident and professional when you are meeting with clients. Knowing ahead of time how the Invisalign aligners will affect your speech is both wise and prudent. The good news is that the aligners truly are invisible so you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.
As for the speech issue, while some patients notice a temporary adjustment period with speech, most find it improves quickly. Invisalign trays add a very thin layer over the teeth, which can subtly change your tongue’s placement. Because of this, certain sounds—especially “s,” “sh,” “th,” or “z” sounds—may feel slightly different at first. Luckily, this is very easy to fix.
Most patients describe this as more of an adjustment than a major problem. In many cases, speech improves within a few days to a couple of weeks as the tongue naturally adapts to the aligners. Even when that happens, it is usually the patient that notices the change rather than anyone who hears them speaking, including close friends and coworkers.
Patients who adapt the fastest often practice speaking out loud for about ten minutes a day. They do this by reading a book or article. This helps patient’s tongues to adjust more quickly. Some people also find it helpful to rehearse important presentations ahead of time while wearing their trays so they feel more confident during meetings.
There’s also an unexpected bonus many Invisalign patients enjoy. Invisalign trays can often double as whitening trays. Ask your dentist to provide you with a professional-strength whitening gel during your treatment. Even practices that prefer in-office whitening systems, such as Zoom Whitening, often have touch-up whitening gel available.
That means you may be able to straighten and whiten your smile at the same time—helping you feel even more confident on video calls, presentations, and everyday interactions. It’s like getting a mini smile makeover for a fraction of the price.
This blog is brought to you by the gentle dentists in Lafayette, LA Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.