I want dental implants, but I grind my teeth. I have a night guard that I don’t wear as much as I should. It is not comfortable. And I forget even more important things to do at home. I know implants are an investment, and I do not want to ruin them. Will grinding my teeth affect the dental implants? Thank you. Kent from PA
Kent,
Thank you for your question? It’s an essential one to answer if you are considering dental implants.
Do You Need a Night Guard If You Wear Dental Implants?
Grinding your teeth will have a definite impact on your dental implant. If you have an uncomfortable night guard, you may need to get a custom-fit night guard from a dentist. A store-bought night guard will not fit properly and provided the protection you need. And it can be challenging to sleep with an uncomfortable appliance in your mouth.
While your implants are healing, grinding your teeth can cause the implants to loosen and fail. The healing process won’t take place. The pressure from teeth grinding can damage the dental crowns that your dentist secures to the implants, too. And you will have wasted a lot of money.
Successful implants will require you to wear a night guard. Speak with an experienced implant dentist about your teeth-grinding habit and what is needed to ensure your dental implants are successful.
Mohamed Imam, DDS of San Antonio, Texas sponsors this post.