Does Invisalign Hurt? The Truth About Discomfort and Adjustments

While it’s exciting to start your Invisalign journey it’s only natural to feel a certain apprehension about potential discomfort and to wonder “Does Invisalign hurt?”

We’re not going to lie. The truth is you may experience some temporary tenderness or discomfort when wearing Invisalign aligners.

But before you go running for the hills, you need to know that whenever you move teeth, whether it’s with braces or clear aligners, there is always a chance of this happening.

That’s the bad news!

Don’t let the fear of pain prevent you from getting Invisalign

The good news is that any discomfort from Invisalign really isn’t that bad. Here’s what research has to say:

One study published in The Progress of Orthodontics Journal found that patients treated with Invisalign reported lower pain levels than those with fixed orthodontic appliances. The research indicated that while some discomfort is present, it's generally less intense and of shorter duration with Invisalign.

Another study highlighted that 54% of Invisalign users experienced mild pain, while 35% reported no pain at all. The discomfort, when present, was most noticeable during activities like chewing but tended to subside within a few days. The same study also reported that 83% of those participating in the study became accustomed to their aligners within one week.

So how much does Invisalign hurt?

Most patients describe Invisalign ‘pain’ as feeling uncomfortable pressure around the teeth and tenderness and sensitivity to the touch.

You may find this impacts your choice of food for a few days so you may want to steer clear of food that is overly hard or crunchy. Aside from that, Invisalign shouldn’t hinder your life in any way, and any discomfort should quickly subside.

However, it’s worth noting that everybody’s pain threshold is different and what hurts for one person may be barely noticeable for another. It also depends on the types of tooth movements required during your treatment.

So, why does Invisalign ‘hurt’?

Generally, three factors could cause you discomfort during your Invisalign treatment:

1. Pressure on the teeth – This is by far the most common cause of discomfort and is the result of your aligners placing gentle pressure on the teeth to prompt them to move. During your orthodontic treatment, you’ll work your way through a series of aligners with each set gradually moving your teeth closer to their new positions. It’s probable that you’ll feel the most discomfort every time you swap out an aligner for the next one in the series. Your teeth will feel tender and sore for a few days as they start to adjust to the new pressure being applied by the aligner. You may even feel more pain in one particular tooth. This happens when one or more teeth need pressure to align them together, particularly if they are crooked or misaligned. Most symptoms should subside within 1 to 2 weeks.

Does Invisalign hurt as much as braces?

In general, Invisalign causes less discomfort than traditional braces.

The SmartTrack® aligner material—specially engineered for Invisalign—applies a consistent, gentle force to guide teeth into place while prioritizing comfort.

In contrast, braces rely on periodic manual adjustments from an orthodontist or dentist, which can result in more intense pressure at the time of tightening.

Any pain or discomfort could actually be a blessing in disguise since it shows that your aligners are working and moving your teeth. It will be worth it in the long run when you have a beautiful new smile for life.

2. Initial adjustment

When you first start wearing your aligners it may take a week or two for your gums, cheeks and lips to get used to them. It’s a bit like wearing a new pair of shoes.

You may find the edge of the aligners rub ever so slightly in which case you can try applying some orthodontic wax to smooth the affected area.  

Once the tissues in your mouth ‘toughen’ up to prevent irritation, you shouldn’t find this bothering you again during your treatment.

3. Sharp or rough edges

In rare cases, you may receive an aligner that has a sharp or rough edge. This being the case, you should contact your Invisalign provider who can smooth it with a file. On the flip side, at least you won’t have a sharp or loose wire poking you as can happen with braces