Are you interested in straightening your smile with orthodontic treatment? Perhaps you are thinking about getting Invisalign clear aligners because they are discreet, convenient, and effective. But are they right for you? If you grind your teeth, you may understandably have some concerns about your candidacy. This blog post explains how your habit might affect your experience with Invisalign.
Teeth Grinding and Candidacy for Invisalign
Your eligibility for Invisalign depends on several factors, including the degree of your dental misalignment and your individual circumstances. Your dentist should certainly take your teeth grinding into account when determining if Invisalign suits your needs. However, do not let that discourage you. Many adults who experience bruxism do qualify for Invisalign treatment!
Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that if your bruxism reaches a level where a specialized mouthguard becomes necessary during sleep, you may encounter some challenges. You cannot wear both a mouthguard and Invisalign at the same time, which means you would not be able to meet the recommended daily Invisalign wear time of 20 to 22 hours. Therefore, traditional braces may be a more effective option for you.
How Does Teeth Grinding Affect Invisalign Aligners?
Invisalign aligners are made of SmartTrack, an advanced and robust patented form of plastic. This material is very durable, but consistent teeth grinding or clenching can accelerate wear and tear on it.
Still, since you will start using a new set of aligners every 1 – 2 weeks, the likelihood of an aligner deteriorating completely before you move forward to new trays is low. If you notice that an aligner has become damaged or unusable due to teeth grinding, your dentist can request a replacement for you.
Can Invisalign Reduce Teeth Grinding?
You might find that wearing Invisalign aligners during the day brings greater awareness to your teeth grinding habit. This increased consciousness could contribute to reducing how often you grind your teeth.
Additionally, dental misalignment frequently plays a role in bruxism, which means that correcting the alignment of your teeth may lead to a significant reduction in grinding and clenching.
Teeth grinding might not stop you from getting Invisalign! Talk to your dentist to learn about potential options for straightening your teeth.
Meet the Practice
At Abington Family Dental Care, we are committed to delivering compassionate and efficient dental services to members of our community. Invisalign is one of the many treatments we offer; we can also assist you with teeth grinding. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our office at 781-780-2658.