If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw (bruxism) in times of stress, while you’re sleeping, or subconsciously, you may be wondering if orthodontic solutions like Invisalign can still work for you. After all, if you need to wear a bite guard at night, it won’t work if you’re wearing aligners. But the good news is that many patients can still undergo Invisalign treatment, even if they have bruxism. Here’s why grinding your teeth isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker when it comes to Invisalign!
Invisalign vs. Bruxism
The main issue that many patients with bruxism face when it comes to Invisalign treatment is that they may already need to wear a bite guard to protect themselves from teeth grinding. When you wear Invisalign aligners, you need to have them on your teeth for 20-22 hours each day. If you already wear a bite guard, there isn’t much time to do both.
Thankfully, however, this doesn’t mean you can’t get Invisalign. That’s because in many cases, your aligners can prevent you from grinding your teeth, so you may not need to wear your bite guard anymore.
What if I Wear Out My Aligners Prematurely?
A danger of wearing aligners with bruxism is that you may wear out your aligners faster or more frequently than you would if you didn’t grind your teeth. The good news, however, is that with Invisalign, you ‘ll only need to wear your trays for about two weeks a piece, so even if you do wear them out ahead of schedule, it won’t be long before you need to advance to a new set, and if you do wear them out too soon, your dentist can easily order you a new set to keep your treatment on track.
Will Invisalign Cure My Bruxism?
While there are no guarantees that Invisalign will stop you from grinding your teeth, many patients find that it does, and that wearing an orthodontic retainer at night as you do following your Invisalign treatment is enough of a deterrent that bruxism is no longer a danger.
Remember, grinding your teeth is not an automatic disqualification for Invisalign. In fact, many patients find that during and after their orthodontic treatment, their bruxism symptoms are either greatly reduced or gone. If you’d like to learn more about correcting your smile (and your teeth grinding) with the help of aligners, speak to your dentist for more information!
About Our Practice
At Baltimore Dental Arts, we consider your smile a masterpiece. Whether you’re seeking treatment for bruxism, need a general exam and cleaning, or you’d like to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign in improving your alignment, bite, and overall oral health, we’re here to help.
To learn more about Invisalign and if you’re a good candidate for this comfortable, effective treatment, please visit our website or call us today at 410-372-0202 for a consultation.