Dental implants are fast becoming the most popular way to replace missing teeth. It’s no surprise why! Compared to traditional restorations, implants provide superior stability, appearance, and longevity. They also have an extremely high success rate of up to 95%. However, there are certain habits and conditions that can increase the risk of implant failure, such as grinding teeth. Keep reading to discover the relationship between bruxism and dental implants and whether you are a good candidate for implant treatment.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching. You may not even realize you are affected by bruxism because teeth grinding usually occurs at night. However, if you often wake up with a sore jaw or a dull, constant headache, you are likely clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, bruxism affects around 15% of adolescents and nearly 10% of middle-aged adults.
What Causes Bruxism?
The root cause of bruxism varies from person to person and can be difficult to pin down. According to the Cleveland Clinic, bruxism can be caused by stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and certain anti-anxiety medications. Lifestyle habits, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and consuming more than six cups of coffee a day can also contribute to grinding your teeth.
Bruxism and Dental Implant Failure
Unlike traditional restorations, dental implants support replacement teeth by integrating directly with the jawbone. However, before your dentist can attach a crown, bridge, or denture to your implants, they must complete the process of osseointegration. This natural healing process typically takes several months. Pressure from teeth grinding or jaw clenching can interfere with implant healing and lead to implant failure.
Am I Still a Dental Implant Candidate?
You may still be a good candidate for dental implants even if you grind your teeth at night. However, you must be in good oral health and have sufficient jawbone depth. The best way to determine if you can benefit from implant treatment is to schedule an initial consultation with an experienced implant dentist.
After your implants are placed, your dentist may recommend that you wear a custom mouthguard at night. This will help reduce teeth grinding and even out pressure across the jaw, thus protecting your teeth and implants. Your dentist may also discuss different stretching and relaxation techniques to reduce the likelihood of jaw clenching or teeth grinding.
So, whether you grind your teeth at night or not, you may still be able to benefit from implant treatment. If you are missing one or more teeth, talk to your dentist today about reclaiming a full, attractive smile with implants.
About the Author
Dr. Wael Kassem has nearly 15 years of experience restoring patients’ smiles with dental implants. A proud Fellow of the International Dental Implant Association, he regularly performs start-to-finish implant treatment at his private practice in Williamstown, NJ. To learn more about bruxism and dental implants, visit the iSmile Dental Arts website or call (856) 818-9998.
