Aligners from Invisalign can straighten teeth and enhance a person’s smile. This innovative orthodontic treatment employs clear aligners to straighten teeth without the use of braces. Invisalign trays are made of a thin, malleable plastic material that is custom-fitted to the patient’s teeth.
The aligners are worn for 20 to 22 hours daily, and the teeth will progressively shift into new positions. If you are prone to teeth crushing, do you still have access to Invisalign? Continue reading to discover if this method effectively achieves a straighter beam. Lawton family dentist can help!
What Is the Bruxism?
Bruxism is a disorder that causes individuals to clench their mandible and grind their teeth. It can occur during both waking and resting hours. Bruxism frequently results from tension, anxiety, or anger, leading to several oral health issues. In addition, it can be an adverse effect of certain medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotics.
Children, adolescents, and young adults are most susceptible to bruxism. According to studies, up to 50% of children, 15% of adolescents, and 8% of middle-aged adults are affected by bruxism. However, the true prevalence may be higher because many individuals are unaware of their teeth-grinding behaviors.
Why Is Bruxism a Problem?
Nighttime teeth grinding can exert up to 250 pounds of force, so it is not surprising that tooth enamel can be eroded over time. Since people are significantly less likely to be aware of their teeth grinding while asleep, the potential for harm while awake is greatly diminished.
Sleep bruxism may cause up to 100 episodes of clenching each night, with each episode lasting up to one second. The clenching of the teeth may not occur every night. Sleep bruxism typically occurs earlier in the sleep cycle, not during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Can I get Invisalign if I suffer from bruxism?
The treatment of teeth grinding with Invisalign is genuinely feasible. Misaligned dentition is one of the leading causes of bruxism in some people. Invisalign can realign your teeth and reduce the amount of strain on your mandible muscles.
Incorrectly aligned teeth can aggravate the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and cause them to grind. The aligners are worn overnight when the most detrimental grinding occurs, so Invisalign treatment can be beneficial. This can help prevent teeth grinding.
Nevertheless, bruxism patients typically wear through their aligners more quickly than those without the disorder. Throughout your treatment, your orthodontist must be aware of this. Since the aligners preclude the use of a night guard or other protective devices, it is essential that they provide some level of protection against bruxism.
