An estimated 10 to 15 percent of American adults grind their teeth. This condition is known as bruxism, and frequently occurs during sleep, making stopping without help extremely difficult. Thus, many patients must wear a night guard to protect their smiles overnight.
If you have been diagnosed with bruxism but are interested in straightening your smile with the help of Invisalign, you may be wondering if wearing aligners is even possible, especially if you already wear a night guard. But contrary to what you might think, aligning your bite with Invisalign is still possible! Here are the “straight” facts!
Invisalign and Bruxism
If you’ve been diagnosed with bruxism, you might have been prescribed a night guard to protect your teeth from excessive wear while you sleep. Conversely, with Invisalign you must wear your aligners for 22 hours each day for your treatment to work. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to wear your bite guard and your aligners simultaneously, but the good news is that you probably won’t need to. This is because with Invisalign, your aligners themselves can actually help prevent you from grinding your teeth, meaning you will no longer need to wear the night guard while you’re straightening your smile!
Bruxism-Related Wear and Tear
One of the biggest dangers of bruxism is the wear it causes your teeth. A bite guard helps absorb the impact of this, protecting them. Naturally, when you grind them, you will subject your Invisalign aligners to the same type of wear, but this is not typically an issue as you will only need to use your aligners for about two weeks each. Thus, even if they do begin to break down faster than they should, it won’t be long before it’s time to advance to your next set, and if it’s too early your dentist can order you a replacement set so your treatment stays on track.
Can Invisalign Cure Bruxism?
While it’s not impossible for Invisalign to stop your bruxism, there are no guarantees that it will. However, many patients find that wearing aligners and then transitioning to retainers following treatment is often enough to prevent them from griding their teeth. This may be due in part to their improved alignment, but it could also be thanks to the aligners themselves.
Remember, bruxism can cause painful damage to your smile, but it’s not an automatic disqualifier for Invisalign treatment. In fact, many patients who grind their teeth find that they either reduce this behavior or stop completely with aligner use! To learn more about wearing Invisalign with bruxism and if you’re a good candidate for this treatment, speak to your dentist today about your options.
About Our Practice
At Attleboro Dental Group, our team of highly skilled, gentle dentists wants to help you achieve your oral health goals. Don’t let conditions like bruxism create a roadblock to your smile success. If you’re interested in aligning your bite with Invisalign but grind your teeth at night or in times of high stress, speak to your dentist today about how aligners could help. While we can’t guarantee you’ll be a good fit, we can go over your orthodontic options at your consultation and help you find a solution that will help make you proud of that gorgeous grin!
To schedule a consultation for Invisalign, please visit our website or call us today at 774-331-0260.