If you want a straighter smile, you’ve likely heard of Invisalign. The treatment is great at aligning crooked teeth! That said, those who grind their pearly whites may worry it won’t work for them. They might even think Invisalign and teeth grinding don’t mix. Well, your local Aspen Hill dentist is here to say otherwise. It’s possible to get aligners even as a teeth-grinder. To prove it, here’s a summary of how Invisalign works if you grind your chompers.
Review: What’s Invisalign?
Put simply, Invisalign is an orthodontic service that straightens crooked teeth. It’s a popular alternative to more traditional options like metal braces.
In itself, Invisalign consists of plastic trays you wear over your teeth. These “aligners” apply minor pressure on your pearly whites, slowly shifting them into the correct position. As such, they’re worn in sets that are switched out every few weeks.
Compared to standard braces, this Invisalign process has unique perks. One is subtlety, as its clear trays are nearly invisible and don’t draw unwanted attention. Another, meanwhile, is convenience – the aligners are removable and thus don’t interfere with meals or teeth cleaning.
Will Invisalign Work if You Grind Your Teeth?
While teeth grinding isn’t a good habit, it shouldn’t upset your Invisalign journey. The aligner treatment can still work for you.
Of course, bruxism could wear down your aligners faster. Their plastic material, after all, isn’t invincible. Still, this wearing isn’t too big a deal; you’ll regularly switch to new trays anyway. Should you wear out the aligners early, your orthodontist can even order replacements. As such, the matter is just something your dental provider should note during care.
Teeth Grinding & Invisalign Tips
In truth, you can manage teeth grinding while undergoing Invisalign. Doing so only requires that you follow some good habits. These include the following:
- Stick to Treatment – In some cases, bruxism stems from poor tooth alignment. If the same applies to you, a corrective approach like Invisalign is your best option.
- Use Active Relaxation – If you grind your teeth due to stress, try relaxing your jaw; it’ll reduce the occurrence of grinding. For example, you could lightly rest your tongue between your teeth.
- Adopt Restful Practices – To keep from grinding as a response to outside stressors, relieve your tension with a light massage or even yoga.
Ultimately, Invisalign and teeth grinding aren’t totally at odds. Use the tips above, and the aligners will quickly straighten your smile!
About the Practice
The Dental Center of Aspen Hill is based in Silver Spring, MD. Led by several excellent dentists, our practice emphasizes personalized dentistry. To that end, we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services to each patient’s unique smile. The same even applies to our various emergency dental procedures. As such, we’ll give you a truly beautiful and healthy grin! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (301)-871-6660.