Are you suffering from bruxism? This condition is the medical term that is used to describe repetitive teeth grinding or clenching. There are many different causes of bruxism, but the most common include stress, misalignment, and missing teeth. If you are missing teeth, you may be worried about how bruxism can impact your ability to get dental implants. Here’s what you should know.
How Does Bruxism Affect Dental Implants?
When you get dental implants, they are placed directly into the jawbone by your dentist. Then, the “osseointegration” process takes place. This is when the titanium implant and jawbone fuse together to build a strong foundation for your restoration. However, if you have bruxism, there is a risk that repetitive grinding and clenching can in the way of this process, increasing your risk of experiencing a dental implant failure.
Can You Get Dental Implants When You Have Bruxism?
If you have bruxism, it’s important that you and your dentist have a plan for this before you have your implants placed. Once the health and strength of your gums and jawbone haven’t been compromised, you will likely still be a good candidate for the procedure. It’s just crucial that steps are being taken to manage bruxism before moving forward with the dental implant process.
How Can Bruxism Be Treated?
There are various ways that bruxism can be treated. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Stress or Anxiety Management: For many people, the root of their bruxism is the fact that they are feeling anxious or stressed. Ultimately, this can be taken out on the teeth. By learning strategies to manage these feelings in different ways, bruxism can be improved.
- Nightguards for Bruxism: These are custom-made by your dentist and work to keep the teeth apart as you sleep. This way, damage is avoided when you feel the urge to clench or grind your teeth. These guards can be crafted from acrylic or soft materials to fit over the upper and lower teeth.
- Dental Correction: In cases that are more severe, your dentist might have to reshape some of the chewing surfaces of your teeth or use crowns to repair previous damage.
Having bruxism doesn’t rule you out as a dental implant candidate. By discussing your concerns with your dentist, you can work together to create a plan that’s right for you. You’ll be showing off a complete smile in no time!
About the Practice
At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we have a team of three top-tier dentists serving patients in the Weatherford community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. For more information on bruxism or dental implants, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (817) 594-3806.