Bruxism is a common problem that affects millions of Americans. You may be thinking, “What’s that?” Well it’s the formal word for “teeth grinding.” This grinding or clenching your smile usually occurs at night, and it can lead to cracked, shortened, or damaged teeth. However, if you just got dental implants in Roselle, this condition can also put you at risk of your new tooth replacement failing. Read on to learn more about bruxism, it’s relationship with dental implants, and how you can protect your smile!
What Causes Bruxism?
Nighttime teeth grinding can be a result of stress, missing teeth, or a misaligned bite. It puts excessive and unnecessary pressure on parts of your smile, eventually leading to worn down tooth enamel in addition to numerous other oral health issues. Unfortunately, this problem can often go untreated because it occurs at night, but your dentist will keep an eye on your smile during your regular checkups to ensure your teeth stay healthy.
How Can Bruxism Affect Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. They support restorations like dental crowns and bridges. One of the most significant benefits of dental implants is their predictability—they have a success rate of over 95%. However, one of the contributing factors to failure is bruxism.
The success of dental implants relies on the osseointegration process, where the implant fuses to the jawbone. It’s key during this time that the implant remains stable because movement can lead to failure. When you have untreated bruxism, your nighttime teeth grinding may eventually destroy the implant or lead to its failure while trying to integrate into the bone.
How Can You Minimize the Risk of Implant Failure?
The best way to protect your smile is to treat the cause of the problem. The most common treatment for bruxism is a custom-made nightguard from your dentist in Roselle Park. These oral appliances are comfortable to wear, and they relieve pressure while protecting your teeth from damage. As an added benefit, nightguards can also help with jaw soreness. In some cases, your dentist may recommend a nightguard once you choose to get dental implants to ensure the success of your tooth replacement.
Bruxism can be detrimental when it comes to your oral health and the success of your implants. Thankfully, with the help of your dentist, you can enjoy reliable protection and your newly complete set of teeth!
About the Practice
At Roselle Park Dental & Implants, we have a team of 4 experts who combine their training and knowledge to provide a wide range of advanced treatments, including the placement and restoration of dental implants. Dr. Jamie Oshidar is a highly trained implant dentist who will get to know you and your smile goals before providing the best solution. If you have any questions, he can be reached through our website or by phone at (908) 245-1745.