Have you ever caught yourself clenching your teeth together just as you’re drifting off to sleep, or had a partner complain that they can hear your teeth clattering at night? You could be one of many people that deal with sleep bruxism, which is when you habitually grind your teeth in your sleep.
If you do, you may wonder whether that could impair your ability to get orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign. If you’re curious, here’s what you should know about the relationship between bruxism and clear aligners.
Can I Get Invisalign Treatment if I Grind My Teeth?
It’s estimated that people who grind their teeth can exert around 250 pounds of force when they clench, so you’d be forgiven for thinking that you could potentially damage your aligners with your bruxism. However, Invisalign aligners are constructed from remarkably durable plastic, and it takes a lot to tear one up.
You’re also only going to wear any given set of aligners for a week or two, so it’s unlikely that you’re going to be able to break one in the time that you’re wearing it. Even if you do, your dentist would likely just have you move up to the next set of aligners.
How to Deal with Bruxism
That said, if you damage your aligners too often it may potentially derail your treatment, so it may be worth looking into how you can deal with the condition before beginning orthodontic treatment. There are certain mouthpieces designed to alter the alignment of your jaw that can be used to relieve symptoms of bruxism.
Invisalign aligners themselves can also change your bite, so if you suffer from chronic bruxism, you might find that telling your dentist about your bruxism may give them an opportunity to address the issue.
Finally, after the orthodontic treatment is complete, it may be a good idea to talk to your dentist about getting fit for a nightguard. Bruxism can grind down the enamel on your teeth, so wearing a nightguard can protect your teeth long term.
About Our Practice
At Beverly Farms Dental, we’re proud to say that we’ve been helping our community smile for over 30 years. In that time we’ve managed to help thousands of patients of all ages get strong, healthy smiles. Even after three decades of practice, our commitment to providing our patients with the highest quality of oral medicine hasn’t diminished in the slightest.
If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (978) 927-3515.