The smile is one of the most noticeable areas of the face, so it’s understandable that those with crooked teeth want to fix this problem.
And while there are several forms of metal braces, Invisalign has become extremely popular in recent years due to the transparent color, making it virtually invisible.
With any medical or cosmetic procedure, however, not everyone is the best candidate for Invisalign braces.
Those who have extremely crooked teeth may need stronger braces, but perhaps the most commonly asked question is if pregnant women can use Invisalign.
Here in this article:
Can Invisalign Be Worn During Pregnancy?
This is a complicated question.
While wearing the braces will not harm the fetus in any way, those who are pregnant may want to stick to traditional braces.
This is because the Invisalign is more expensive than other braces, and if money is tight, most soon-to-be parents would much rather be saving for when their child arrives.
Money isn’t the only concern, however.
Pregnancy and X-rays
Like with most dental work, x-rays are required before any long-term reconstruction can take place.
If a woman is already pregnant and looking to use the Invisalign, having an x-ray of the jaw is recommended.
This helps the dentist see if there are any hidden teeth that need to be corrected before the braces are made.
While studies have shown that x-rays do no harm to the fetus unless it is pointed directly at the stomach, many pregnant women may not take this unnecessary risk.
If this is the case, you may want to wait to start using Invisalign after your pregnancy.
Invisalign And Pregnancy Symptoms
While women experience different pregnancy symptoms, many suffer from morning sickness during the first few months of pregnancy.
Since vomiting is likely during this time, radiancedentalnw.com recommends that the Invisalign not be worn during those first few months of pregnancy.
Stomach acid can eat away at the plastic and damage the aligners before it has a chance to straighten the teeth.
Most pregnant women will also notice that their appetite increases during gestation. This is because they are eating for two now, and while frequent eating won’t damage the teeth or braces; the Invisalign will have to be taken out before each meal or snack.
This can be inconvenient to women who find themselves snacking often.
Invisalign And Gingivitis
Women who have gingivitis may also need to wait until they deliver before they get Invisalign braces. Since pregnancy alters the natural hormone balance in the body, this also affects and can worsen gingivitis.
To prevent the gums from becoming even worse, Invisalign should not be worn until they improve, which is typically after pregnancy.
Chemicals, Money & Other Concerns
Invisalign requires wearing heavy-duty plastic aligners during the treatment period. The main concern is that those aligners are made with Biphenyl-A, also known as BPA.
This is a chemical that is commonly found in plastics. While typically not dangerous, it was been researched that BPA could include ingredients that could be harmful to infants and young children.
The good news? BPA isn’t found in these aligners.
Invisalign aligners are actually made from polyurethane resins, which have been extensively tested by the FDA and proven safe for pregnant women.
Many doctors will say there isn’t a huge risk in going through with Invisalign treatments during pregnancy. The dental professional who is administering the treatment, however, could make the decision to stop treatment until after you’ve delivered your baby.
Why would a dental professionals do this? Because you’ll be forced to frequently take out your aligners during pregnancy and the more you do, the harder it is to straighten your teeth.
So it’s actually a good idea to hold off. It would be terrible to sink a ton of money into treatments to just have your teeth return to being crooked from not wearing your aligners.
And the final argument comes down to pure comfort. It’s no secret that being pregnant is not the most comforting time for you. You’re dealing with cramps, morning sickness, carrying around more weight and have constant cravings.
Add in Invisalign, which for some people could cause irritable gums and a sore mouth, and your quality of life is now even worse.
Of course, Invisalign doesn’t bother everyone and pain is only present on a case-by-case basis. And pain typically goes away after a week or two of wearing them.
If you’re pregnant and want to get Invisalign, check with your dentist and doctor to make sure it’s the right choice for you. You’ll be happy that you did.
