If you’re one of the many Windy City residents who grinds his or her teeth at night, an Invisalign in Chicago dentist may have a solution. Teeth grinding, which is sometimes known as bruxism, is often associated with stress but may also be due to dental problems such as malocclusions. One of the most effective ways of correcting a misaligned bite is with Invisalign braces.
What Are Invisalign Braces?
Invisalign braces are clear plastic aligners that have been individually customized to correct your specific malocclusion. They are extremely lightweight, and they slip easily out of your mouth so that you can remove them when you eat or when you preform your oral hygiene regimens. They won’t irritate your gums the way conventional braces do because they don’t contain metal brackets or wires. Since they’re transparent, they’re practically undetectable, which means you don’t have to feel embarrassed when you speak or smile.
Can Teeth Grinding Interfere With Invisalign Braces?
People typically grind their teeth without realizing they’re doing so while they’re asleep at night. Bruxism is a problem because it can damage the surface enamel of your teeth, which makes them more prone to chipping and fracturing. Teeth grinding can also cause an uncomfortable tightness in the muscles of your jaw, which may lead to headaches, spasms and even chronic conditions like temporomandibular disorder.
Many patients actually find that Invisalign helps prevent teeth grinding because the aligners work to correct the underlying issue. For some patients, aligners seem to function as a type of night guard. Other patients, however, may continue to grind their teeth. These patients will require a dental accessory of some sort because bruxism has the potential to damage aligners.
