I wear Invisalign and am concerned that the aligners make my gums sensitive. The gums between my first and second molar are sore, especially after I eat. The pain lingers for almost an hour after eating. The pain doesn’t return until I eat again. My teeth don’t hurt, just my gums. My dentist took X-rays, though and said everything looks fine. He said he could remove the tooth if the pain didn’t resolve. Why remove a tooth because my gums hurt? My orthodontist says removing the tooth sounds unreasonable. She recommended that I get a second opinion. I guess that’s a good idea. Is it unusual to have gum sensitivity between teeth when you’re wearing Invisalign? I’ve had my aligner for ten months. The sensitivity began three to four months ago. – Thanks. Blake from Reno, NV
Blake,
It concerns us that your dentist wants to remove your tooth because he doesn’t know what is causing your discomfort.
Does Invisalign Cause Gum Sensitivity?
Invisalign does not cause lingering gum sensitivity. If the aligners do not fit well, they can irritate your gums. Report the concern to your dentist or orthodontist, who can trim the aligners to resolve the irritation. The sensitivity you describe between your teeth shows that the issue is with your gums, such as periodontal pockets or an abscess caused by gum disease.
- Periodontal pockets – You may have deep periodontal pockets due to a lack of flossing and progressive gum disease. Food particles can get trapped in the pockets, causing irritation and pain.
- Periodontal abscess – An abscess, or pus-filled sac, near your tooth root, can develop from untreated gum disease.
Also, consider that you wore Invisalign for six to seven months before experiencing gum sensitivity. You may ask your dentist to refer you to a periodontist, or you can schedule a second opinion with another dentist.
Beverly Hills accredited fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. Brian LeSage sponsors this post.