According to one estimate, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) afflicts up to 30% of people. If it remains unchecked, it may seriously damage your natural teeth. But what if you are already missing some teeth and want to replace them with dental implants? How might a tendency toward teeth grinding affect your tooth replacement experience? This blog post touches on some key points regarding the relationship between bruxism and dental implants.
How Bruxism Can Affect Dental Implants
Bruxism has the potential to adversely affect the dental implant process in a few ways:
- Bone loss in your jaw. If you have been grinding and clenching your teeth for many years, it might have caused some bone loss in your jaw. If your jaw is too weak or thin, it might not be able to adequately support dental implants.
- Failed osseointegration. Dental implants are able to act as prosthetic tooth roots only if they form a strong bond with the surrounding bone tissue. Sadly, the pressure caused by bruxism can interfere with this bonding process. It might even contribute to complete dental implant failure.
- Damage to surrounding tissue. Bruxism can be dangerous for implants even after they have successfully fused with the surrounding bone. Grinding and clenching may cause micromovements of the implants, which can negatively affect the nearby bone and gum tissues.
Can You Still Get Dental Implants if You Grind Your Teeth?
While the above information may seem disheartening, you should not automatically conclude that you cannot get dental implants. In fact, you might even have good reason to be optimistic! Here are some important points to remember:
- Bruxism is treatable. Your dentist might provide you with a special nightguard to prevent unconscious grinding and clenching. If you tend to brux during your waking hours, you may need to explore tips that can help you quit. For example, lowering your stress levels through meditation and lifestyle changes might prove beneficial.
- You might need a bone graft. If bruxism or other factors have damaged your jawbone, a bone graft might be able to fortify it so it is able to support dental implants.
- Dental implants could reduce bruxism. Implants can improve the mechanics of your bite. In turn, that might lower your tendency to brux.
Teeth grinding and clenching can be dangerous for dental implants. However, bruxism will not automatically bar you from replacing lost teeth. Talk to your dentist to find out more about your treatment options.
Meet the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Rupeshwar Renkuntla, our team provides start-to-finish dental implant services. With a combination of advanced technology and refined skills, we are able to handle even some very complex cases. To learn more about us and how we may be able to replace your lost teeth, contact Saginaw Dental at 817-989-2832.