If your teeth are significantly misaligned, it can affect not only your oral health but also your self-confidence. Many people use Invisalign clear aligners to straighten their teeth, but there is often concern about whether teeth grinding and clenching — known as bruxism — will impact their eligibility for this treatment. What about you? Are you wondering whether you can get Invisalign despite your bruxism? This blog post provides some important information.
Understanding the Criteria for Invisalign
Your dentist will assess multiple factors to determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. They will look at the degree of your dental misalignment, your habits, and several other considerations — including whether or not you grind your teeth.
The encouraging news is that bruxism does not automatically disqualify you from getting Invisalign aligners. In fact, many individuals who experience teeth grinding can still proceed with clear aligner treatment.
However, there are instances where bruxism might interfere with Invisalign. For example, if you are required to wear a specialized mouthguard at night to prevent grinding, you may not be able to wear both the mouthguard and Invisalign simultaneously. Since Invisalign aligners are most effective when they are worn for 20 – 22 hours each day, using a nightguard for bruxism might make traditional braces a more suitable option for you.
Impact of Teeth Grinding on Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign aligner trays are made of a unique type of plastic called SmartTrack, which is known for its strength, durability, and flexibility. Despite these qualities, the aligners are not indestructible. Continuous grinding and clenching can cause the aligners to wear out more quickly. Fortunately, you will be switching to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, so severe damage is unlikely to occur before you transition to the next set.
If you do cause substantial damage to one of your aligners, it is important to reach out to your dentist. They may order a replacement aligner to allow you to keep moving forward with treatment.
Can Invisalign Help Reduce Teeth Grinding?
There are a couple of ways in which Invisalign aligners may play a role in reducing bruxism:
- Increased awareness: If you tend to grind your teeth while you are awake, wearing aligners might increase your awareness of the habit, enabling you to consciously work on stopping it.
- Improved alignment: Dental misalignment often contributes to or exacerbates bruxism. As your teeth move into more optimal positions with Invisalign treatment, you might notice a reduction in your teeth grinding tendencies.
Teeth grinding can pose challenges for clear aligner treatment, but it does not necessarily have to prevent you from using Invisalign! Consult with your dentist to explore your specific treatment options and determine the best course of action for your unique situation.
Meet the Practice
At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, our team is proud to offer two types of clear aligner treatment: Invisalign and ClearCorrect. If you have questions about your eligibility for either of these treatments, or you are concerned about bruxism, we would be pleased to consult with you. Contact our Beachwood, OH, office at 216-595-1710.