Are you planning to receive dental implants soon? If so, congratulations — you’re well on your way to a fully restored smile! Still, you should take stock of the factors that put your treatment at risk beforehand. In particular, you’ll want to learn about the unpleasant relationship between bruxism and dental implants.

Your local dentist can help with this matter. Read on to learn how a clenched jaw can hurt your replacement teeth and ways you can work around it.

What is Bruxism?

Fundamentally, bruxism is a medical term used to describe repetitive teeth grinding or clenching.

As an oral condition, it has several potential causes. It often results from high stress and anxiety, which prompt patients to tense their jaw muscles. On the other hand, it sometimes stems from misalignment problems and missing teeth.

Bruxism is an obstacle to dental health for many people. Because it places excessive pressure on your teeth, it can cause the latter to become worn down or damaged. Worse yet, it often occurs while you sleep, making it difficult to control without professional treatment.

Bruxism & Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants’ success depends on osseointegration — a process where jawbone tissue fuses with an implant over several months. As this fusion occurs, your teeth mustn’t be placed under excessive pressure.

You can probably guess that bruxism doesn’t help matters. Rather, it interferes with the fusion process and thus increases patients’ risk of implant failure. If someone repeatedly grinds or clenches their teeth while recovering from first-stage dental implant treatment, osseointegration may not even occur.

Preventing Bruxism-Related Implant Issues

Despite the risk, patients with bruxism can have successful implant treatment. However, they must take certain precautions to avoid damage from teeth grinding and clenching. These could include the following:

• Be more mindful of clenching and grinding: If you find yourself clenching your jaw during the day, actively try to relax so your jaw muscles return to their proper positions.
• Wear a night guard or night splint: In many cases, dentists can give you a custom-fit night guard or night splint to wear while you sleep. As you do so, you can prevent and discourage yourself from grinding your teeth.
• Get implants made from suitable material: Dental implants made with certain materials can reduce or endure the force from bruxism. For example, zirconia implants are incredibly strong and durable.
• Reduce the stress and anxiety in your life: Practice suitable anti-anxiety techniques to avoid unconscious jaw-clenching. One way to reduce bodily stress might be to avoid caffeinated beverages after dinner.

Talk to your dentist to learn more about effective ways to manage bruxism with dental implants. Not even teeth-grinding will stop a great smile if you take the proper steps!

About the Practice

Fort Dental is based in Fort Worth, TX. Led by Drs. Cheng, Thorburn, and Luk, their team prioritizes compassionate care that uses cutting-edge technology. Their excellent services span not only preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, but also emergency dental services. Whether a simple checkup or an advanced procedure like dentures or veneers, they’re ready to meet your needs. For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (817)-292-5957.