Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm, and these days, more patients than ever before are turning toward these ingenious clear aligners to straighten their smiles and achieve unparalleled confidence. But some potential Invisalign patients wonder if preexisting conditions, like teeth grinding (bruxism), can influence their candidacy or impact treatment. Continue reading to learn a little more about Invisalign and how it can still be an effective orthodontic solution for patients who grind their teeth!
How Does Invisalign Shift Teeth?
The Invisalign system does the exact same job as traditional braces, but in a different manner. Rather than relying on metal brackets that are bonded to the teeth and connected via wire, Invisalign relies on clear plastic aligners that are designed to fit over the teeth.
These aligners, also referred to as trays, are custom-made for every patient’s individual smile, meaning that they’re arguably much more comfortable than metal braces. Another benefit is that the aligners are made from a special type of clear plastic that’s practically invisible while being worn – hence the name!
As the aligners are worn over the teeth, they apply gradual, focused pressure and encourage them to slowly shift into healthier positions. Assuming the patient wears their aligners most of the time (22 hours every day, to be exact) and advances to new sets of trays as instructed, they’ll be delivered a beautifully straighter and healthier smile over the course of 12 – 18 months on average.
Will Teeth Grinding Affect My Invisalign Candidacy?
The short answer is yes, you can still get Invisalign if you suffer from bruxism, which is a condition in which a patient chronically grinds their teeth, often during nighttime when they’re unaware it’s happening.
In fact, in some cases, Invisalign can actually help with teeth grinding. Since misaligned teeth are one potential cause of the condition, realigning the teeth often stops or reduces bruxism. Additionally, Invisalign aligners aren’t too different from the custom-made mouthguards designed for teeth grinding (nightguards). Though they aren’t as durable, they do offer some cushion between your upper and lower teeth.
Teeth grinding can cause your aligners to wear down prematurely, but granted that your treatment plan will require you to change to a new set fairly often, by the time your aligners begin to show major signs of wear due to bruxism, you’re already likely moving on to your next set.
The fact of the matter is that having properly aligned teeth can radically boost your quality of life and ensure that your smile is easy to maintain. Whether you grind your teeth or not, you shouldn’t hesitate to speak with your orthodontist to see if Invisalign can straighten out your smile!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics Dayville has proudly served the needs of patients and families in the Dayville community for several years. We’re excited to offer a wide range of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including Invisalign clear aligners! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please visit us online or call today for additional information. Telephone: (860) 774-2008.