Is Invisalign Suitable for You if You Have Bruxism?
6 September 2022
If you have bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, and you are considering an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign, you may be wondering if you will be suitable for the treatment, or if the aligners can act as mouthguards to help with teeth grinding.
Bruxism and Invisalign
Bruxism is a dental condition when one grinds, gnashes and/or clenches their teeth during their sleep or when they feel stressed.
Grinding your teeth occasionally does not usually cause any harm, but if it happens regularly, there are possible side effects that can affect your dental health and jaw. They include chipped tooth, worn enamel, headache, toothache and the development of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a disorder that causes pain in your jaw.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to realign your teeth. They are an alternative to traditional metal braces and have some unique benefits such as – they are almost invisible, you are able to remove them during meals (there is no need to worry about food getting stuck in between your braces!) and they are more comfortable to wear.
The benefits do not stop there. Invisalign can help to reposition your bite while correcting misaligned teeth. With that being said, does this mean that Invisalign may help to put teeth grinding to a stop? In some cases, it is possible!
We share 5 answers on what you need to know about Invisalign and bruxism.
#1 Can I wear Invisalign if I have bruxism?
The good news is, it is possible for individuals with bruxism to embark on an Invisalign journey.
However, there are some criteria that you will need to fulfill. For example, if you have severe bruxism or are required to wear a mouth guard or splint, Invisalign may not be a suitable orthodontic option. Nonetheless, it is not the end of the road. You may still be able to achieve your dream of having a straighter smile with other orthodontic and dental treatment options. Your dentist will be able to help you make the best decision for you and your teeth.
#2 Can Invisalign help with bruxism?
Now, this is a burning question that we are about address and the answer is yes, it may help if you have mild bruxism!
When you have misaligned bite and teeth, uneven pressure applied on the surface of your teeth can cause pain and irritate your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is responsible for the movement of your jaw. These factors can cause your teeth to grind against each other.
Invisalign will shift your teeth to its ideal position and this corrects the misalignment of your bite and teeth, which will help to ease teeth grinding.
#3 Can bruxism cause my clear aligners to wear down?
Grinding your teeth regularly can cause your Invisalign clear aligners to wear off quicker than they should but this can be easily addressed. To prevent such predicaments, your dentist might recommend for you get fitted with a night or bite guard.
Plus, you will be required to change to a new set of clear aligners every 2 weeks and while some wear and tear might happen, you will most likely change to a new set before it can be damaged.
More importantly, if this is a concern of yours, it is best to get it addressed by raising this to your dentist.
#4 Can Invisalign aligners protect my teeth from the impact of bruxism?
Invisalign clear aligners may help to cushion your teeth from the impact of teeth grinding as it serves as a barrier between your teeth. As much as they look alike, this does not mean that your clear aligners can substitute a night guard and vice versa.
If you have been wearing a night guard prior to your orthodontic treatment, it is important to discuss with your dentist on a treatment option that works best for you and your lifestyle. This is because it will be difficult to switch between a night guard and Invisalign as you will be required to wear your Invisalign clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. This would mean that you would be using it to sleep. Therefore, it is vital to discuss with your dentist if Invisalign is a possible option for you.
#5 Is Invisalign the best option for bruxism?
If teeth misalignment is the reason why you are grinding your teeth, Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment to be considered. Invisalign’s major advantage is that it corrects your bite discreetly.
That’s not all, there is no need to worry about painful nicks and cuts from braces and if you have a tight schedule, you should also know that the frequency of your dental visits are much lesser as compared to having braces on.
However, it is important to understand that Invisalign may not be a suitable option for everyone, especially if you have severe bruxism that grind and clench your teeth at night. If you do not meet the criteria and are looking for something besides traditional metal braces, ceramic braces and self-ligating braces are some alternatives to consider.
Invisalign aims to give you a beautiful smile that is pain-free and hassle-free. Schedule a consultation with our dentist at i.Dental to find out if you are a suitable Invisalign candidate especially if you have bruxism.