Can I Get Dental Implants if I Grind My Teeth at Night?
If you have missing or severely damaged teeth, you may wonder if you can get dental implants if you grind your teeth at night. Teeth grinding, a condition also known as bruxism, can put pressure on the jawbone and wear the teeth down, so it’s a valid concern for patients who want to get dental implants to replace missing teeth.
Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics has locations in Montgomeryville, Bala Cynwyd, and Bensalem, PA. During your consultation, we can discuss dental implants and bruxism in more detail that we could not go into in this blog post.
Can Tooth Replacement Treat Bruxism?
There are many causes of bruxism. One of these causes is TMJ disorder, which can be caused by malocclusion of the teeth. This refers to teeth that aren’t in alignment. If you have missing teeth, it can put excess and uneven pressure on the remaining teeth in your mouth. Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, paired with a quality restoration like a dental crown, bridge, or denture, can alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder and bruxism.
Bruxism is also caused by stress. If you have missing teeth, you may suffer from higher levels of anxiety and stress due to difficulty eating and the appearance of your smile. In addition, patients can undergo other types of treatment for stress to reduce chronic teeth grinding.
Diagnosing the exact cause of your bruxism will assist us in determining how to best treat bruxism, if possible. In addition, it will help us qualify you as a good dental implant candidate if the bruxism can be managed. Bruxism can be caused by a range of things, such as stress, anxiety, certain medications and health conditions, use of caffeine or drugs, and family history of sleep bruxism.
A Mouthguard Can Protect Your Implants and Restorations
If you or your dentist are worried that you will grind your teeth at night after undergoing dental implant treatment, you can consider wearing a mouthguard at night. A mouthguard is custom designed to be placed over your top and bottom arches of teeth to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from the effects of bruxism. Wearing your mouthguard every night can help you maintain good oral health, and increase your chances of a successful dental implant procedure.
If you have bruxism and get dental implants and restorations, you do face a higher risk of implant failure and your crowns, bridges, and dentures being subject to premature wear. That is why it is so important to meet with a trusted and qualified dentist who can review your candidacy and recommend the best course of treatment.
Remember: There Are Plenty of Treatments Out There
If you’re worried about your oral health, we can help. Thanks to custom dentistry and orthodontic solutions, you can have a healthy smile that looks great as well.
Contact Our Dental Practice
Contact our dental practice serving Philadelphia County to schedule an appointment and find out if you suffer from bruxism, how it can be treated, and if you’re a good candidate for dental implants.
