Let us face it: everyone has a great smile. While this is true, it does not imply that everyone has their best smile. If you want to improve the appearance of your smile, Invisalign treatment may be right for you. Schedule a consultation with Dexter dental office today to learn more.
What is Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign is a relatively recent orthodontic procedure alternative to conventional metal braces. Invisalign, available since the late 1990s, uses a series of clear aligners to move a patient’s teeth into optimal alignment gradually. Each pair of Invisalign aligners brings a person’s teeth closer to their wanted position.
Invisalign is more inconspicuous than traditional braces since the aligners are transparent and difficult for onlookers to notice. Invisalign therapy is also less intrusive because patients do not need to change their lifestyle habits, such as avoiding particular foods.
Invisalign and teeth grinding.
SmartTrack, a flexible material, is used to make Invisalign transparent aligners. As a result, people who grind their teeth frequently worry about being able to have Invisalign therapy. The major fear of tooth grinders is whether their grinding would damage their aligners.
To address the first problem, most people who grind their teeth are candidates for Invisalign treatment. Nevertheless, if you must wear an appliance such as a splint or night guard due to teeth grinding or clenching, Invisalign may not be a solution. Patients must use their Invisalign aligners for 20-22 hours daily during treatment. Thus, using a night guard or splint may disqualify you from Invisalign. Speak with your orthodontist before discontinuing treatment.
If you are concerned that teeth grinding will damage your Invisalign aligners during treatment, you should know that there is a risk it will. This is not as big of a concern as you imagine because patients typically wear a set of aligners for about two weeks. Even if your bruxism causes a set of aligners to wear out before moving on to the next set, your Invisalign orthodontist can easily order a replacement set.
While many people grind their teeth unconsciously at night, others grind and clench their teeth during the day due to stress. One important reason to choose Invisalign if you grind your teeth is that the clear aligners used during treatment can protect against bruxism damage regardless of when you grind your teeth. If you grind your teeth when awake, your aligners will make you more aware of the practice and may help you minimize or completely eradicate your teeth grinding while stressed.