What Will Happen to My Invisalign Aligners if I Grind or Clench My Teeth?

Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, can wear down your enamel prematurely. That’s one thing, but what if you’re thinking about getting Invisalign? Will your habits break the clear aligners or negatively impact your treatment?

These are fair questions to ask, but there’s good news. You can still straighten out your pearly whites with Invisalign clear aligners! Here’s how it works.

Invisalign Clear Aligners: The Basics

If you don’t already know, Invisalign skips the metal bracket and wires and uses clear, mouthguard-like trays to correct crooked teeth. It’s true that the trays are made out of plastic, and while being flexible, they don’t hold up as well as, say, porcelain. That said, you can easily remove the aligners for eating, and damage is only a true concern when they’re not taken care of or protected properly.

It’s also important to know that Invisalign works by applying increasing degrees of pressure to your teeth. For this process to be effective, you’ll be provided a new, tighter set of trays every two weeks or so.

Invisalign and Bruxism

If bruxism exerts enough force to wear down your enamel, it can definitely wear down thin plastic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t receive an effective Invisalign treatment! Since you’ll be swapping your trays out fairly frequently anyway, you’ll most likely get a new set of aligners long before your teeth grinding causes any significant damage.

In fact, Invisalign can be helpful for patients with bruxism. The plastic trays can soften the impact caused by teeth clenching, and actually reduce the pressure normally exerted on your pearly whites.

Talk with Your Dentist

Invisalign and bruxism might get along just fine, but it’s still a good idea to talk to your dentist about your habits. Some cases of bruxism are more severe than others, and they’ll want to perform a thorough oral examination to get a better sense of what your treatment needs might be. If necessary, they can adjust your Invisalign plan to be safer for you and your smile. You can count on your dentist to set you up for success!

About the Author

Dr. Hiren H. Shah has over ten years of experience in the field of dentistry and still loves seeing his patients’ excitement after completing a transformative treatment like Invisalign. As a member of the American Dental Association and the New Jersey Dental Association, Dr. Shah is well-qualified to assess your candidacy for Invisalign. He would be happy to account for factors like bruxism when personalizing your treatment plan! To schedule a consultation, call Dr. Shah’s office at 908-834-8448 or request an appointment online.