Are you thinking about getting dental implants as a means of replacing your lost teeth? They are an excellent way to rebuild your smile! Still, you might wonder about how teeth grinding and clenching might affect your prospects for treatment. This blog post delves into the relationship between bruxism and dental implants and provides practical tips to reduce the risk of harm to your new teeth.
How Can Bruxism Affect Dental Implants?
Bruxism can affect dental implants in several ways:
- Loss of bone in the jaw: Continuous clenching and grinding can cause bone tissue to deteriorate, which may reduce the stability of future implants.
- Disruption of the osseointegration process: Dental implants must fuse securely with your jawbone in order to function effectively. Excessive force from bruxism may prevent successful bonding, possibly leading to implant failure.
- Injury to surrounding tissues: Even after your dental implants have been placed and integrated, harmful pressure from bruxism can cause subtle movements, which may result in damage to gum and bone tissue around the implant sites.
Can You Get Dental Implants if You Clench or Grind Your Teeth?
If you have concerns about the consequences of bruxism for dental implants, you should consult with a skilled implant dentist. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you learn! Here are some things that might allow you to get implants even if you brux:
- Treatment for bruxism: Your dentist may recommend a custom nightguard to shield your teeth from nighttime clenching. Stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and lifestyle adjustments, may also decrease daytime bruxism.
- Bone grafting procedures: If bone loss has occurred, a bone graft might restore the strength and volume of your jawbone, thereby making implants feasible.
- Functional restoration: Restoring your bite with dental implants can improve the balance of your jaw, which may reduce your tendency to clench and grind your teeth.
Your dentist will have to consider whether or not you grind your teeth when they are determining your candidacy for dental implants. However, bruxism is not an automatic contraindication for tooth replacement! Hopefully, your care team will be able to come up with a plan that allows you to gain a healthy, complete, and confident smile.
Meet the Practice
At All Dental, we are pleased to provide start-to-finish dental implant services in a modern, welcoming environment. We have the skills necessary to navigate challenges like bruxism, and we want as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of high-quality tooth replacement. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Westborough office at 508-217-7265.