Clear aligners may cause slight speech changes initially, particularly a mild lisp, as the tongue adjusts to the presence of the aligner trays. This is most noticeable when pronouncing "s" and "sh" sounds. However, these effects are usually temporary and resolve within a few days to a week as the tongue adapts (Kravitz et al., 2009). Compared to traditional braces, aligners are less bulky and smoother, minimizing speech interference. Studies indicate that most patients report minimal to no long-term speech problems during treatment with clear aligners (White et al., 2017). Practicing speaking out loud and reading can help accelerate adaptation. Overall, while a brief adjustment period is normal, clear aligners rarely cause lasting speech issues. References: Kravitz ND, Kusnoto B, Begole E, Obrez A, Agran B. How well does Invisalign work? A prospective clinical study evaluating the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009;135(1):27–35. White DW, Julien KC, Jacob H, Campbell PM, Buschang PH. Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized controlled trial. Angle Orthod. 2017;87(6):801–808