Many people consider their crooked teeth more of an aesthetic concern than a real problem, but the truth is that misalignments also lead to dental issues. It’s harder to brush and floss overcrowded or overlapped teeth, and gaps in your grin can trap food, attracting bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
Your orthodontist offers solutions that can help, like Invisalign, but if you suffer from bruxism (chronic teeth grinding), you might wonder if treatment is feasible. Continue reading to learn more about it so you can make an informed decision!
What is Invisalign?
Although traditional braces have a long history of successfully straightening smiles, plenty of patients prefer to avoid the hassle and frustration of having metal brackets bonded to their teeth throughout their treatment. Thankfully, many orthodontists offer alternatives like Invisalign, which utilizes clear plastic trays customized to fit over your teeth to gently shift them over a designated period. Every week or two, you’ll be provided with a new set of aligners to account for the ongoing movement, which must be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent anything from reverting to its previous place.
This discreet treatment is considered less invasive because the trays are removable. That means there’s no need to adjust your daily dental hygiene routine or eating habits like with standard orthodontics.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a condition in which you frequently or constantly clench your teeth together, often at night while you’re sleeping. This can impact your oral health in several ways because it prematurely wears down your enamel, increasing your vulnerability to issues like cavities, periodontal problems, and misalignments. It can also overwork your TMJ (temporomandibular joints) and lead to disorders that cause a stiff, sore, or locked jaw.
Some patients with bruxism who want straighter smiles wonder whether their unconscious habit will damage the transparent plastic aligners intended to reposition their pearly whites.
Does Bruxism Damage Invisalign?
While teeth grinding can potentially wear down your Invisalign trays faster, fortunately, they aren’t intended to last long anyway. They’re only meant to be worn for 7 to 14 days, and your orthodontist can reorder a set if you do manage to tear through them too quickly, so your bruxism likely won’t negatively affect your treatment timeline. Furthermore, having them in at night provides a layer of cushion between your upper and lower arches to safeguard your smile.
Although you might wear down your Invisalign more quickly if you suffer from bruxism, wearing your trays for the allotted time can help reduce the symptoms of your unconscious teeth grinding!
About the Author
Dr. Payam Ishani enjoys helping people of all ages enhance their daily lives by improving their dental condition. He graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry and completed specialty training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Now, he offers a variety of services to reposition your grin, upgrade your appearance, or alleviate jaw pain, all from one convenient location. You can request an appointment on the website or call (405) 254-5094.