How Invisalign Fixed Deb’s Smile After Years of Teeth Grinding
by Arch Dental“I only wish I had known about the program sooner!”
Those are the wise words of our patient Deb… and well, to be honest, many of our patients after they undergo cosmetic or restorative dentistry.
But in this case:
Deb is talking about Invisalign.
You see:
Deb suffers from bruxism (teeth grinding) and has for years.
As time passed, so did her youthful smile.
Her teeth slowly moved more and more out of alignment, making it harder to maintain her oral health and feel confident smiling.
But not only did her smile’s physical appearance change, so did its function.
Her misaligned teeth changed her bite, which then impacted how her jaw and TMJ functioned together, causing discomfort when chewing, talking, and smiling.
As Deb said,
“My teeth had been pushed out of position after years of bruxism, and my jaw never felt relaxed.”
Unfortunately, Deb’s scenario isn’t uncommon. Misaligned teeth, bruxism, and TMJ are often correlated.
So after years of suffering, Deb decided it was time to do something about it.
She sought out Dr. Derek Harnish for a consultation to discuss her:
- Bruxism
- Jaw pain
- Smile’s appearance
As a leading dentist in Fargo, ND:
Dr. Harnish has the training and experience to offer a comprehensive list of dental services under one roof.
He sat down with Deb to understand her desires and concerns, complete a thorough examination, and give his honest treatment recommendations.
In the end:
Deb received Invisalign.
Why?
Invisalign helps:
- Straighten teeth
- Enhance a smile’s beauty
- Align bites
- Minimize or eliminate jaw pain
- Reduce or stop teeth grinding
- Improve oral health
Not to mention, Invisalign has a few other perks like:
- There are no metal brackets or wires
- Aligners are clear, so hardly anyone will notice
- You can easily remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss per usual
- SmartTrack® aligner material makes the aligners fit better, move teeth gently, and create predictable treatments
- Checkups are only every 4 to 8 weeks
- Treatment is often faster than braces
- Both teenagers and adults are candidates for Invisalign (you’re never too old!)
- Cost is comparable to traditional braces (plus, we offer multiple financing options)
As Deb recalls her experience:
“The liners were easy to get used to and caused very little discomfort.”
Ready to take a peek at her new smile?
Check out this stunning before-and-after Invisalign transformation.
Doesn’t her new smile look decades younger?
All thanks to Invisalign and finishing touches, like enamel shaping and teeth whitening, by Dr. Harnish.
On top of that, listen to this:
“The Invisalign treatment worked beautifully and gave me back the nice straight teeth of my youth and a comfortable position for my jaw.”
Deb no longer suffers from painful side effects of bruxism, like jaw pain.
Plus:
Her new smile is forever!
Invisalign results are permanent, so long as you take care of your teeth and wear your retainer.
Now, let us ask you a question:
Do you suffer from teeth grinding, and are you interested in Invisalign?
If so, this next section includes some must-know information.
Teeth grinding and Invisalign Q&A
Can Invisalign cause bruxism?
No, Invisalign can’t cause bruxism.
Plus, you can rest assured:
Invisalign is only offered by trained Invisalign providers. They offer Invisalign to treat dental problems, not cause more.
Can Invisalign fix teeth grinding?
It depends.
Bruxism is associated with various causes, such as:
- Stress
- Sleep disorders
- TMJ disorders
- Tooth alignment
- Medications
- Neurological conditions
If your teeth grinding is onset by tooth alignment, then Invisalign may treat it by aligning your bite and reprogramming the facial muscles used to grind your teeth.
To confirm this, you must schedule a consultation with an Invisalign provider.
Can I wear aligners if I grind my teeth?
The answer is usually:
Yes, you can wear Invisalign aligners even if you grind your teeth.
Keep in mind:
You must wear aligners 20 to 22 hours per day, even at night. Therefore, you’ll likely wear down your Invisalign aligners quicker by grinding your teeth than someone who doesn’t. However, because you change aligners every one to two weeks on average, you should be ok.
If you suffer from severe bruxism or wear nightguards or splints, you may not be eligible for Invisalign, but your provider will determine that.
The most important thing is to:
Discuss any bruxism, oral appliances, TMD, or other dental-related factors with your Invisalign provider. Then they can customize your treatment with those in mind or recommend better alternatives.
A little bonus if you grind your teeth:
Invisalign aligners act as a sort of protective barrier between your teeth throughout the day.
Want to see if Invisalign could help you?
Contact your nearest Invisalign provider!
If you’re located near Fargo, ND:
Book a consultation with Dr. Harnish at Arch Dental.
Not only can he straighten your teeth, but he can also keep them healthy and beautiful with comprehensive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry – for the rest of your life!
Or you can:
- Call us: 701-235-6075
- Email us: info@archdentalfargo.com
Our office is located in Fargo, ND… opens in a new window to Google Maps… and serves surrounding communities, including Moorhead, West Fargo, Oakport, Dilworth, Horace, Sabin, Detroit Lakes, Lisbon, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
