Invisalign is popular for its convenience, effectiveness, and discreet appearance. But is it right for you? Your dentist will consider a variety of factors before approving you for treatment, including whether or not you grind your teeth. Will grinding prevent you from getting Invisalign? This blog post explains what you need to know.
How Does Teeth Grinding Affect Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners cover all the visible surfaces of your teeth, including those that come into direct contact with one another. As you can imagine, teeth grinding and clenching can take a toll on the plastic that the aligners are made out of.
Fortunately, if you engage in mild teeth grinding, you can probably get through your two weeks with any given aligner before the damage becomes bad enough to adversely affect your treatment. In fact, the aligners might even serve as an important reminder that prevents you from grinding your teeth during daytime hours.
Invisalign May Ultimately Help with Teeth Grinding
Sometimes, teeth grinding and clenching is the result of mild bite misalignment. As Invisalign straightens your teeth, you might find that the tendency to grind is greatly reduced. It could even serve as a permanent solution!
Severe Grinding Might Affect Your Candidacy
It is important to keep in mind that severe teeth grinding might bar you from using Invisalign aligners. Similarly, if you have to wear a nightguard during sleep to prevent grinding, you should not use this orthodontic treatment; your nightguard would prevent you from wearing Invisalign for the required 20 – 22 hours each day.
You may need braces or another orthodontic treatment if your dentist determines that your teeth grinding and clenching would be a serious obstacle to successful care with Invisalign.
Exploring Your Options
When you visit your dentist to talk about Invisalign, be straightforward about whether you grind and clench your teeth. Your dentist will assess whether the habit has damaged your enamel, how severe it may be, and its impact on your orthodontic treatment prospects. Trust whatever recommendations they make; their goal is to help you manage your teeth grinding and enjoy the benefits of a well-aligned smile.
Meet the Practice
At Northborough Dental Associates, we are proud to provide comprehensive care for individuals in our community. We offer Invisalign, traditional metal braces, and solutions for teeth grinding and clenching. Are you curious about your treatment options? We would be happy to welcome you into our office for a consultation. To request an appointment, contact our friendly team at 508-571-0358.