Dental implants are often seen as the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth thanks to the many unique advantages they have to offer. But if you currently have bruxism, you may find yourself wondering whether you might need to pursue other tooth replacement options. Could constant grinding and clenching of the teeth prevent you from enjoying the benefits of sturdy implant posts? Here’s what you need to know about the impact that bruxism can have on dental implants.
How Can Bruxism Affect Dental Implants?
Simply put, when you have bruxism, the repeated grinding and clenching can put a lot of pressure on your dental implants. This can cause serious problems during osseointegration, which is a natural process that allows your implant posts to fuse with your jawbone. The pressure from bruxism can cause the posts to move, which can potentially disrupt osseointegration and ultimately lead to dental implant failure.
Even after osseointegration is complete, bruxism can still damage your dental implants by frequently exposing them to an excessive amount of force. Over time, this can fracture the implant posts or cause them to come loose.
Can You Still Get Dental Implants If You Have Bruxism?
The good news is that you can still potentially be considered a viable candidate for dental implants even if you currently have bruxism. Your dentist can determine whether dental implants are the right choice for you based on the specifics of your situation. They can also help you figure out the best way to get bruxism under control so that it doesn’t cause problems for your replacement teeth.
What Can You Do About Bruxism?
Treating bruxism often involves wearing a nightguard, which is a simple oral appliance that is meant to be placed on the teeth before you go to bed. A nightguard can act as a barrier that stops the upper and lower arches of teeth from making direct contact with each other. This helps minimize the amount of pressure that your dental implants are exposed to throughout the night, thus allowing you to avoid serious damage in the long term.
If you suffer from daytime bruxism, it’s essential to pay close attention to what your jaw is doing. As soon as you catch yourself grinding or clenching your teeth, you can make a conscious choice to relax your jaw and help it find a better resting position.
Bruxism doesn’t immediately disqualify you from getting dental implants, but it does need to be controlled so that it doesn’t cause issues for your newly revitalized smile. When you visit your dentist to discuss the possibility of getting dental implants, make sure that they are aware of your bruxism so that they can devise a plan for dealing with it.
About the Author
Dr. Stacy Dean went to the WVU School of Dentistry, and she holds membership with various professional organizations, including the Dental Society of Western PA and the Academy of General Dentistry. At Dean Dental in Washington, PA, she’s proud to be able to offer a wide range of services, from custom nightguards for treating bruxism to beautiful, lifelike restorations for dental implants. If you want to determine whether dental implants are right for you, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Stacy by visiting her website or calling (724) 204-5858.