Teeth grinding or clenching, otherwise known as “Bruxism” in the dental world, is a habit or condition that exerts excess pressure on your pearly whites. Normally, this pressure is enough to cause premature wear, so if you have Bruxism, you might be wondering whether Invisalign aligners will hold up – or if you’re simply out of luck.
Don’t worry, you still have plenty of fortune left in you! Invisalign might actually be able to help with instances of Bruxism. Keep reading to find out how.
How Can Invisalign Help with Bruxism?
Invisalign aligners are made out of a flexible plastic, which, it’s true, isn’t nearly as tough as dental enamel. However, the aligners can work as an effective protective barrier for your teeth, cushioning the blow from frequent grinding or clenching. In that way, they can spare your pearly whites from some crushing damage!
Even if you do end up wearing down your aligners because of Bruxism, you’ll likely be replacing them every two weeks or so anyway. In most cases, by the time patients start to notice excessive wear, it’s already time for them to move on to their next-step trays.
Can Invisalign Help With TMJD?
If you don’t already know, TMJD is short for “temporomandibular joint disorder.” The TM joint connects your upper and lower jaw (or “mandibula”) like a hinge. Bruxism and TMJDs often go together because the physical stress from grinding or clenching your teeth can be transferred along your jaw and straight to your TMJ. The result? Chronic jaw pain.
Since Invisalign can blunt the impact from Bruxism, it can also help relieve TMJ discomfort over time.
What If I Continue to Have Bruxism?
It’s important to realize that while Invisalign can provide some Bruxism relief, it’s not a treatment for the condition. Many times, patients have little-to-no instances of teeth grinding or clenching after completing Invisalign, but if this isn’t the case for you, you might require additional support for a permanent fix. Keep your dentist updated, and they’ll be happy to help you!
Consult Before You Commit!
If you have Bruxism, you could still very well receive an effective Invisalign treatment. That said, every patient and smile is different. You should still consult with your dentist to see if Invisalign is right for you. No matter what the final verdict is, your dentist will help you find your best-fit treatment plan!
About the Practice
At Salmon Brook Dental, we have three excellent dentists who treat our patients like family. You can expect the best care when visiting our office in Granby, along with advanced dental technology that makes treatment more comfortable and less invasive. If you’re interested in Invisalign and want to know how the aligners might respond to your Bruxism, contact our office at 860-653-4551.