Dental implants are an increasingly popular way to permanently and securely replace missing teeth. With optimum care, dental implants can last a lifetime. There are, however, some situations that can significantly diminish your dental implant’s life span. Bruxism is one habit that can critically damage your dental implants. By understanding bruxism and what it can do, you can better care for your dental implants and enjoy more long lasting success.
What Is Bruxism?
This is a condition characterized by the unconscious clenching and grinding together of your teeth, most often at night while you are asleep. Tooth grinding can be damaging to your natural teeth, wearing them down over time and causing cracks and more serious damage.
Can Bruxism Hinder The Success Of My Dental Implants?
Bruxism can hinder your dental implant success rate by directly interfering with your body’s ability to recover and heal. Dental implants are titanium posts that are implanted directly into the patient’s jawbone. Over a period of months, these posts are intended to fuse with the jawbone through a physiological process called osseointegration. Teeth grinding, however, can exert excess pressure and movement to these implants on a nightly basis. This can prevent the implants from properly integrating with the jawbone, leading to implant failure.
Can I Still Get Dental Implants If I Grind My Teeth?
Depending on the severity of your bruxism issues, it may still be possible to have dental implants placed. If your tooth grinding is mild to moderate, your dentist may be able to fit you with a custom mouth guard to wear at night that can help to guard your teeth and dental implants against damage.
Learn More About Dental Implants
Dental implants can dramatically improve your quality of life and restore confidence. Do not let grinding your teeth hold you back. If you would like to learn more about dental implants and find out if you are a candidate, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Contact Maple Avenue Family Dentistry today at (401) 247-2200.
