Are dental implants an option for people with grinding habit?

People with bruxism have the habit of grinding or clenching teeth unconsciously when they’re awake or during sleep. In due course of time, bruxism will lead to conspicuous wear & eventually lead to dentition loss.

Since implant itself is immensely inviolable, still bruxism holds the potential of disfiguring the implant prosthesis. But this doesn’t indicate that a person with bruxism cannot go for dental implants.

Recognizing the condition with signs & symptoms can help you & your doctor plan the treatment accordingly.

In patients with bruxism one might notice: generalized worn teeth surfaces, increased sensitivity, fractured or chipped teeth, tight jaw muscles etc. Patient might complaint of pain in temporomandibular joint.

Also, radiographically one might see bone loss in the affected areas.

How does bruxism affect dental implants?

Constant & gradual grinding wears off the outer layer i.e. enamel of your teeth, making it more sensitive to hot & cold eventually leading to patient’s discomfort. Similarly, it affects the dental implants by wearing away the outermost layer of the prosthesis & finally mutilating the implant & its components i.e. abutment & crown.

Though it might take ages, but disfiguring the implant & its components convey replacement of your dental implants over & over again.

Can I still opt for dental implants?

Certainly, even patients with bruxism can go for dental implants. Patients with implants are usually recommended to wear a nightguard.

The nightguard is made of plastic & is customized according to your jaws. It helps protecting your teeth from grinding or clenching during sleep or awake.

Nightguard & choosing the right material for your crowns is the best solution to increase the durability & longevity of your dental implants.

It’s highly important to mention the grinding problem to your dentist at the very first appointment. So that he can help you lessen the possibility of deteriorating dental implants in the future.

If you are keen enough to restore your smile even with bruxism, we at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Institute are confident & happy to help you.