Lately, you’ve been thinking about getting Invisalign® to straighten your smile. However, if you are aware that you have bruxism, you may wonder whether clear aligners are truly a viable option in your case. Can frequent grinding and clenching of the teeth disqualify you from Invisalign®? Or could the treatment still help you overcome your orthodontic issues?
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism can cause you to grind and clench your teeth without consciously meaning to do so. It can occur while you’re awake, but you may also experience it while you’re asleep. The root cause of bruxism isn’t completely understood, but the condition has been linked to several risk factors, such as stress, misaligned teeth, and genetics. Over time, bruxism can significantly wear down and damage your teeth; it’s also associated with jaw pain and headaches.
Can You Get Invisalign® Even If You Have Bruxism?
The fact of the matter is that many individuals with bruxism are still able to qualify for Invisalign® treatment. You might assume that frequent grinding and clenching of your teeth will damage the aligners to the point where they’re no longer usable. However, Invisalign® aligners are very durable and are able to withstand the pressures associated with bruxism. There’s a chance that they may wear down faster than normal, but this often isn’t an issue since you will need to switch to the next set of aligners in the series every couple of weeks.
Furthermore, in many cases, getting Invisalign® can actually prove beneficial for patients with bruxism. For one thing, wearing clear aligners prevents the upper and lower arches of teeth from making direct contact with each other; this can go a long way toward reducing bruxism-related damage. On top of that, if your bruxism is connected to misaligned teeth, correcting the issue with Invisalign® could potentially help diminish grinding and clenching.
Is Invisalign® Right for You?
Of course, regardless of whether you have bruxism or not, you will still need to speak to your dentist to confirm whether Invisalign® is a good choice for you. Generally speaking, Invisalign® can be used to correct a variety of mild to moderate orthodontic problems, which can include crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and various kinds of bite issues. Your dentist will need to carefully evaluate the current state of your mouth in order to determine whether clear aligners are truly right for your smile.
Remember, even if you have bruxism, you don’t have to give up on pursuing Invisalign®. The treatment could still be an excellent option for creating the straighter, healthier smile that you deserve!
About the Author
Dr. Andrew R. Glynn went to The Ohio State University for his dental education, and he has served as a dentist in the Air Force. He has completed continuing education in clear aligners and a wide variety of other topics. He has been able to help many patients overcome their orthodontic issues with fully customized Invisalign® clear aligners. If you’re looking for a discreet way to straighten your teeth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Glynn at Glynn Dental of Reynoldsburg by visiting his website or calling (614) 864-4618.