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After doing your research online, you’ve made a decision: you’re going to get Invisalign to straighten your teeth! Between its discreet appearance, comfort, and flexibility, it’s the perfect fit for a busy person like you. Except there’s just one thing holding you back—you know you grind your teeth. The last thing you want to do is spend the money and get your hopes up only to discover that this unconscious habit renders the treatment useless.
Is it possible to get Invisalign if you grind your teeth? Turns out that the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might expect, but know this—Invisalign is probably still an option!
Invisalign vs. Teeth Grinding
People grind their teeth for all sorts of reasons. For many, it only happens while they are asleep, while others do it when they’re feeling nervous, anxious, or over-caffeinated. This can wear down the strongest substance in your body, your enamel, so what chance does a plastic Invisalign tray have?
Fortunately, in most cases, a person who grinds their teeth can get Invisalign with little to no issue. For moderate grinders, the trays can serve as a protective barrier during the day and at night—the plastic is extremely strong and durable! Plus, because a patient changes out their aligners every week or so, this prevents any individual one from being damaged to the point of breaking.
Of course, there are always outliers. If a person grinds their teeth SO frequently and SO hard that an Invisalign tray is broken in less than a week, then traditional metal braces would probably be a better choice. Thankfully, this only applies in a very small percentage of cases.
Ways to Reduce Teeth Grinding
You’ll be able to discuss your teeth grinding with your dentist during your Invisalign consultation, during which they can give you a few tips to help you decrease it. While you’ll receive personalized recommendations, a few universal pieces of advice include…
- Stress reduction: Yoga, reading before bed, or breathing exercises can be a big help for people who grind while they sleep.
- Medication: Anti-anxiety medication can help with the general agitation that is often the source of grinding.
- Mindfulness: Being aware of when and why you’re grinding during the day can allow you to consciously stop.
- Dental treatment: Making small adjustments to select teeth can remove imbalances that trigger grinding.
Adjustments Your Dentist Can Make
No two Invisalign treatments are ever the same, so your dentist can tweak your plan depending on how severe your grinding is. This might influence how they design your trays, how often you switch from one to the other, and how many extras you have on hand.
All this is to say that while teeth grinding is certainly a consideration when it comes to Invisalign, for most patients, it doesn’t have to be a barrier.
About the Author
Dr. Allan Mohr is an award-winning cosmetic dentist based in Massapequa Park who has been serving the community for almost 40 years. Having completed almost 3,000 hours of continuing education throughout his career along with hundreds of Invisalign cases, he’s more than capable of giving you the smile you’ve always wanted despite teeth grinding. You can judge his work for yourself by checking out his Smile Gallery, and to start your cosmetic dental journey, contact Dr. Mohr today to schedule a consultation.
