Missing teeth can significantly impact your daily life, making tasks like chewing and speaking challenging. Thankfully, dental implants offer a reliable solution to restore the function, appearance, and strength of your smile for years to come. However, if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), you might wonder how it could affect your chances of success with dental implants. Continue reading to find out how grinding your teeth impact dental implants and how you can still be a good candidate for this method of tooth-replacement.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism, commonly referred to as teeth grinding, occurs when you clench or grind your teeth. It often happens unconsciously during sleep. This condition can stem from various factors, including stress, bite misalignment, or missing teeth. Symptoms include waking up with sore jaw muscles, headaches, or flattened, worn-down molars. Over time, severe bruxism can cause teeth to chip, crack, or break. If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to visit your dentist promptly to address the issue and prevent further oral health complications.
Does Bruxism Affect Dental Implants?
Just like natural teeth, dental implants are not indestructible. After the implants are placed, they undergo a critical healing process called osseointegration, where they fuse with the jawbone to establish a stable foundation for your replacement teeth. Excessive pressure from teeth grinding can disrupt this process, potentially leading to implant failure. Bruxism increases stress on the implant and surrounding bone, making it essential to manage the condition during and after treatment.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants if You Have Bruxism?
Having bruxism doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting dental implants. However, it does mean you’ll need to take extra precautions to protect your investment. A common preventive solution is wearing a custom nightguard, a specially designed acrylic mouthguard that shields your teeth and implants from grinding and clenching forces while you sleep. This device helps minimize the pressure on your implants, reducing the risk of complications.
Your dentist may also recommend addressing the root cause of your bruxism. This could include stress management techniques, adjusting your bite alignment, or treating other underlying conditions that contribute to teeth grinding.
Even if you grind your teeth, dental implants can still be a viable and successful solution for replacing missing teeth. By working closely with your dentist and following their recommendations, you can ensure the long-term success of your implants.
About the Author
Dr. Douglas Baldwin is passionate about transforming smiles through dental implants. He specializes in implant dentistry and takes pride in guiding patients through every step of the process. If you’re ready to restore a fully functional smile, visit our website or call (817) 592-8626 to schedule your consultation today!