Countless individuals struggle with bruxism, a condition that is characterized by teeth grinding and clenching. Over time, it can cause serious damage to your natural teeth! But what if you have one or more missing teeth and wish to replace them with dental implants? Will bruxism affect your candidacy for the procedure? This blog post provides some key points that you should keep in mind about bruxism and dental implants.
How Bruxism Can Affect Dental Implants
Bruxism can affect the dental implant process in a few ways:
- Poor jawbone health. If you have been bruxing for a long time, it might have caused a degree of bone loss in your jaw. A weak or thin jawbone may not provide an adequate base of support for dental implants.
- Failed osseointegration. The purpose of dental implants is to act as prosthetic tooth roots. In order to do that, they need to bond with the surrounding tissue. Sadly, the pressure caused by bruxism can interfere with this process. It may even lead to total dental implant failure.
- Damage to nearby tissue. If your implants successfully bond with your jaw, bruxism can still be dangerous. It may cause micromovements of the implants, which can adversely affect the surrounding bone and gum tissues.
Can You Still Get Dental Implants if You Grind Your Teeth?
If you engage in bruxism, do not automatically conclude that dental implants are not a suitable tooth replacement option for you. Bruxism is highly treatable in most cases! Here are some important notes to keep in mind:
- Your dentist can provide a mouthguard to stop bruxism. If your dentist notices signs that you grind and clench your teeth, they might provide a custom device to prevent you from doing it unconsciously at night.
- You might need to lower your stress. Perpetual bruxism may be caused by stress. Adjusting your lifestyle may reduce teeth grinding and clenching.
- A bone graft might be necessary. If bruxism has damaged your jawbone, a bone graft might be able to address the problem and allow your mouth to support dental implants.
- Dental implants might reduce bruxism. Implants may improve your bite, which could reduce your tendency to grind and clench your teeth.
Bruxism and dental implants are not a good combination, but grinding and clenching does not mean that you cannot rebuild your smile! Ask your dentist about your options for managing your bruxism and replacing your lost teeth.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Bikram Singh is a highly experienced implant dentist who provides start-to-finish tooth replacement services in our Cary, NC, office. He combines his high level of skill with state-of-the-art technology to provide precise, high-quality treatment. If you would like to replace your missing teeth, Dr. Singh and our team are ready to consult with you and start formulating a treatment plan. Get in touch with Cary Dental Rejuvenation at 919-460-5454.