Allergic to Invisalign Trays

[pink miss]

Hi Everyone

I'm new to braces and new to this forum I've been wearing invisalign, top and bottom for 10 days. While I've gotten used to wearing them, I have had a cough since the first day. I don't get a great deal of colds/flus etc but this cough has developed into what seems to be a chest infection - with phlegm etc (sorry if tmi!). I'm also very hoarse and am losing my voice intermittently. Anyway I'm slowly coming around to the idea that I may well be allergic to the invisalign retainers - when I take them out to eat the cough subsides but then returns when I put them back in.
I intend to make an appointment with my ortho for next week to see what he thinks, but in the meantime I wondered 2 things
(1) Does anyone have any experience of this problem i.e. upper respiratory-type problems with invisalign - if so did it settle down for you or what was the outcome?
(2) I understand that invisalign can make the trays out of a different type of material if someone is found to be allergic to them - are they likely to charge me for this?
Any thoughts/comments welcome

[robin8]

I experienced coughing at the beginning of the first set; also sore throat, chapped lips and dry mouth.

I did some research and gathered that it was likely caused by the chemical residue from the post-production sterilization process. Some people are more sensitive to the chemical than others. Most patients experience dry mouth and chapped lips and the problems usually go away after a few days of wearing a new set.

The problems went away for me on the 3rd day after I soaked the aligners in denture cleanser for an hour and thoroughly clean them with a soft toothbrush before wearing them again. I have done this with every new set and haven’t had any problems since (I’m on the 6th set now).

Some denture cleanser and mouthwash could also cause sore throat and coughing for some people. I try to avoid the strong ones.

Good luck!

[myhollywoodsmile]

Hi there,
I have read about people being allergic to their aligners, but I'm not sure that it is very common. I suppose the only way to find out is to remove them until you are 100% better, wait a few days to be sure and then try again. Unless your ortho has any other suggestions.
I always wash my Invisalign before inserting a new set as I think they look a bit white and cloudy- I've never been 100% sure what the residue is, but I don't want it in my mouth. I suppose it might help to soak them for a while, although in my case the denture cleaner that I use (steradent) seems to be the cause of sore throats for me so I have to be sure that I rinse them really thoroughly after using that.

Maybe a chat with your ortho can shed some more light on this, I don't suppose there is any way to test for this allergy it will just be a matter of trying removing them.
Good Luck

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

I've posted about this topic on another forum before. There is no official word from Align (I've asked them), but we've noticed that there is some residue left on the aligners even coming out of the packaging. It's likely from some step in the manufacturing process at the factory. A key sign that it may be the aligners is if you have the onset of coughing issues as you change to each new aligner.

We advise all of our patients to rinse them off before using them for the first time. With thousands of aligners having gone through our office and this protocol, we haven't had anyone mention an allergy or coughing issues.

[Phantom Muse]

I, too, had issues with the first two sets of trays until I started cleaning them well before using them (I use toothpaste and tons of water). I also drink a lot of water the day of and the day following each new set. That seems to help "flush out" any residue I may not have cleaned away. It also helps, I think, to boost my body's strength to deal with the stress of new tooth movement. In fact, your cough may be simply your body's way of reacting to the stress of having orthodontia - sort of like getting a cold during midterm exams or before a big presentation. Keep well hydrated, and try to rest a bit more.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[mommamorin]

I had a horrible cough the entire time wearing invisalines. After someone here mentioned really rinsing the trays well before inserting, the cough was not as bad but the sore throat with each new tray lasted a few days. Mine was a dry hacking cough however, not productive.