Since hitting the scene in the late 1990s, Invisalign has become a popular alternative to traditional braces because of its subtlety and functionality. Wearing clear aligners is a much better option for people who feel uncomfortable or self-conscious with metal brackets in their mouths. What if your problem, though, wasn’t that but something else? What if you grind your teeth? Can you wear aligners? Read on to learn more about the possibilities of wearing Invisalign for teeth-grinders.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the unconscious act of grinding and clenching your teeth either during the day (day bruxism) or while sleeping (night bruxism). It is believed to be caused by a wide variety of factors, including:
- Stress and anxiety.
- Heredity (family history of teeth grinding).
- Sleep disorders (apnea, night terrors, etc.).
- Misaligned teeth.
- Lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, using recreational drugs, and excessive caffeine intake.
What Are the Downsides of Bruxism?
Grinding your teeth can be bad for a few reasons, including causing tooth damage, jaw pain, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.
Constant grinding of your teeth wears down the enamel, the hard, protective covering on the outside of your teeth that prevents tooth decay and sensitivity. Gums can recede from the excessive stress on the teeth and jawbone, exposing tooth roots and making them more vulnerable to complications.
How Can Invisalign Help?
Oral appliances, like nightguards, are one of the go-to methods of treating buxism. You’re probably thinking, I can’t wear a nightguard for bruxism if I have to wear Invisalign aligners, or trays, at night. And you’d be right – you can’t effectively fit a nightguard over your trays.
But here is the good news: those clear aligners can act as a natural protective barrier between your teeth while sleeping, the same function your nightguard serves! So, in essence, your treatment is both straightening and protecting your teeth at the same time!
Not only that, but there is a good chance that straightening misaligned teeth can help stop or reduce chronic bruxism. It’s a win-win!
Won’t Teeth Grinding Ruin My Invisalign?
Grinding your teeth won’t ruin your aligners, but it will wear them down prematurely. However, one of the advantages of Invisalign treatment is that you typically switch out trays about every 1 to 2 weeks. So, by the time your tray is worn down, you’re ready for a new one! Just be sure to keep switching them out to prevent any disruption in your treatment. If your bruxism does wear out a set of aligners before you’re supposed to move on to the next pair, ask your doctor if a replacement set is possible.
How Do I Manage Teeth Grinding After Invisalign?
After you complete Invisalign treatment, your dentist will give you a retainer to wear at night to keep your beautiful new smile in its place. You may ask yourself, how can I wear a retainer and a nightguard at the same time?
The bad news is you can’t. The good news is that many patients experience a drastic reduction in teeth grinding once they have straight teeth and don’t need to wear a nightguard anymore!
It is possible to have Invisalign if you grind your teeth – not only can it act as a protective device, but it may also help cure the problem!
About the Author
Dr. Carol Morgan graduated magna cum laude from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1995. Today, she is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellow of the esteemed Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Over the course of 1,500 hours spent continuing her education, Dr. Morgan focused on cosmetic dentistry, TMJ treatment, and orthodontics. If you’re interested in Invisalign treatment, contact our office online or call our Virginia Beach office at (757) 412-1400.