Sedation Clinics
You might think that your crooked teeth are more of an aesthetic concern than an oral issue, but if your enamel overlaps, you can’t thoroughly brush and floss all surfaces. Unfortunately, this increases your risk of developing common oral issues, such as cavities or gingivitis.
Your dentist can reposition your grin with Invisalign, but if you chronically grind your teeth, you might wonder if it’s feasible for you to complete this alternative orthodontic treatment. Thankfully, your subconscious jaw-clenching doesn’t have to preclude you from enhancing your appearance and dental well-being. Continue reading to learn more about it!
What Is Invisalign?
This alternative orthodontic solution continues to gain popularity as a more discreet way to improve your appearance. Unlike traditional braces, which utilize metal brackets and wires to straighten your smile, Invisalign relies on transparent plastic trays. The smooth material is designed to fit snugly over your arches to gently reposition your teeth over a designated period.
However, to keep your pearly whites from reverting to their previous places, you must wear your clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily. Then, after a week or two, your dentist will give you a new set to accommodate for the ongoing movement of your teeth throughout your treatment timeline.
What Is Bruxism?
If you’ve ever noticed yourself crushing your teeth together when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you might suffer from bruxism. People with this condition inadvertently clench their upper and lower teeth together, often at night while they’re sleeping. Regardless of when it occurs, the additional pressure can wear down your enamel prematurely or push your pearly whites out of alignment, increasing the likelihood of developing cavities or sustaining injuries.
Can I Get Invisalign with Bruxism?
It’s natural to wonder if you can get Invisalign if you have bruxism. After all, if your teeth-clenching can damage enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, it could surely harm the clear plastic. And who wants invest in orthodontics just to render them ineffective by ruining the trays?
However, your habit thankfully doesn’t preclude your from getting Invisalign. Although you might accidentally crack or wear down the trays, you’re not likely to do so in the week or two that you’re required to wear them. And if you do, it’s not usually too difficult to order a replacement set to complete your orthodontics.
Not only that, but the plastic material provides a layer of cushion between your upper and lower arches, which can give your jaw enough of a break to start healing while you sleep at night!
About the Practice
Patients at Dental Wellness of Lexington benefit from a team of dentists with decades of combined experience helping local families enhance their lives by improving their oral health. They collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs at one convenient location, including Invisalign. They combine a courteous and compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to increase your comfort while delivering accurate treatment results meant to last. Whether you need basic preventive care or want to straighten your smile, they are happy to help! You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (859) 223-4644.