Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Gio Greenard

The common question of – Will Invisalign aligners give me a lisp? It is normal for Invisalign patients to wonder about such things. If you have a lisp or notice a speech issue, don’t fret. It won’t last long and is reversible. In this post, we’ll show you the link between lisping and aligners.  Let’s get looking at what aligners are…

Invisalign Aligners FACTS

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. With a series of thin plastic clear aligners that straighten your teeth. Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets. Using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable. Which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth. 

Invisalign Teen is comfortable, affordable, and effective for the vast majority of younger patients. Now without brackets and wires, you’ll have the confidence of a great smile even during treatment. They are also removable so you can take them out for a short period to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing and regularly cleaning your aligners.

Is Lisping Normal with Aligners?

Invisalign aligners can create lisping or speech issues. It is said by a medical study conducted to affect 7% of people wearing Invisalign aligners. It is normal to see a change in audible sounds from the mouth.

It can be irritating. But for the majority speech is not affected at all.  People wearing traditional metal braces have their own speech and lisp issues.

Lisps 101:

Palatal

Tongue pushing against roof of the mouth

Interdental

Tongue pushing on the spaces between front teeth

Dentalized

Tongue pushing against front teeth

Lateral

Uneven airflow over and around the tongue

Will my speech be affected by Invisalign?

Often lisping can be most apparent with the sound “s” or “sh” or”Th” or “Ch.” If you use rubber bands for any reason, you might find your mouth snapping back. Again, this is as temporary as the lisp.

How Long Does it Take for Lisp to go Away with Invisalign?

You might even notice you are speaking with a lisp when wearing the aligners the first few days. It can take a little longer for you before you are used to it. Often people have sore tongues that subconsciously shift over to the aligners.

Your tongue will eventually get used to the new inhabitant and the lisp or speech issue will disappear.

Can Aligners Fix a Lisp?

If you have a lisp already, Invisalign has been known to correct the jawline and eliminate the speech issue. Structural issues in the jaw are a common cause of lisping. correcting this corrects the tongue placement within the mouth.

Is a Permanent Lisp a Thing From Invisalign?

A permanent lisp from Invisalign is not a thing. If you’re worried about permanent lisping, you can relax.

At Home Lisp Reduction Exercises

You can rid any lisp with a healthy reduction exercise routine. There are a few ways to train your mouth:

• Up and down and side-by-side movement training will strengthen your tongue
• Practice sounds like “Z”, “S”, “Th”, or “Ch” with your tongue pressed downward
• Enunciate phrases. Repeat sentences or quotes that contain vowels and syllables
• Drink with a straw. Your tongue is naturally positioned down allowing no intrusion on the tongue or aligner surfaces.

Disclaimer – This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about orthodontics and general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your orthodontist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.