You’re unhappy with the way your smile looks. Your teeth appear crooked and misaligned, leaving you feeling embarrassed by your appearance. When talking with your dentist, you inquire about clear aligners. While this is a great alternative to traditional braces, you wonder if your nightly teeth grinding will keep you from being cleared for this type of treatment. If you’re begging the question, “Can I get Invisalign if I grind my teeth,” a dentist is here to share the answer.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
There are many reasons teeth grinding and clenching can occur but the most common is poor tooth alignment, which can cause uneven surfaces and added pressure on certain areas of your teeth.
If you find that you are struggling with teeth grinding but it is not the result of poor alignment, you may be able to ask your dentist about a customized nightguard. These can help to minimize the potential for worsening symptoms by relaxing your jaw.
Another reason teeth grinding can develop is stress. When you’re dealing with anxiety and pressure in your personal and/or professional life, it will likely manifest when attempting to sleep.
Will Teeth Grinding Damage Invisalign Aligners?
You might assume that grinding or clenching your teeth while wearing Invisalign is a disaster waiting to happen, but the truth is that these clear aligners can actually help improve your bruxism.
The reason you grind your teeth is probably because of your misaligned smile. As teeth move out of proper alignment, it can cause normal oral function to become skewed, resulting in worn-down tooth enamel and chronic jaw pain.
By wearing Invisalign for 20-22 hours each day, your teeth will move in the right direction with gentle, continuous pressure. Although you are required to wear them while you sleep, there is the possibility that you will grind your teeth during this time, which means you’ll likely wear down your aligners more quickly.
Although Invisalign is unlikely to stop teeth grinding that is caused by stress, it can help to alleviate some of the possible damage by serving as a barrier throughout the day.
If you suffer from teeth grinding, make sure to talk to your dentist about your options. Should Invisalign be an option you would like to pursue, prepare to reap the many benefits of these clear aligners so that you can enjoy a healthier, damage-free smile in the future.
About the Author
Dr. Masha Kogan attended New York University for her undergraduate degree before going on to NYU’s College of Dentistry. Earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, she attended a General Residency at Hackensack University Hospital. She and the team at Dental Center of Westport are truly invested in providing patients with quality service. If Invisalign is the recommended service for misaligned teeth, she can recommend additional services that will speed up treatment and produce long-lasting results. Please contact us at (203) 227-8700 if you want to learn how you can spend less time undergoing orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.