Dr. Mounir Iskandar has helped countless patients in and around Irving achieve healthy and beautiful smiles. He offers advanced treatments for various dental problems, including treatments for tooth loss.
Dental implants are a great treatment for patients who are missing teeth, though the success of treatment may be put at risk if a patient suffers from tooth grinding (bruxism). Let’s go over these matters in more detail right now.
ABOUT TEETH GRINDING (BRUXISM)
Teeth grinding refers to the gnashing, clenching, and shifting of the teeth that occurs when a person is asleep. The teeth grinding may be the result of stress, poor dental alignment, the use of certain medications, and a combination of these factors.
Teeth grinding can place a great deal of stress on the teeth and gums, and it can also result in harm to the jaw joint over time. Given these issues, it should come as no surprise that teeth grinding can contribute to many problems for people who have dental implants.
RISKS WHEN GETTING DENTAL IMPLANTS PLACED
When a person grinds his or her teeth and has dental implants in place, there are a number of risks to consider.
For one, the amount of stress placed on the teeth and gums can affect the way that the dental implants heal or are positioned. Steady stress on the dental implants or the teeth and tissues adjacent to the surgical site can cause the dental implants to shift out of optimal place, meaning less than optimal treatment.
In addition to affecting the position of the dental implants, teeth grinding can cause damage to bone structure around the dental implants and cause gum recession as well, which means that the implants will not be as stable as they could be. This increases the chances of total treatment failure.
ISSUES WITH OSSEOINTEGRATION AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO BONE
When getting dental implants, a month-long healing process is necessary so osseointegration can occur. Osseointegration is a process by which the implants fuse with the bone and gum tissues, allowing them to function as artificial tooth roots. Teeth grinding can make osseointegration less likely, which means extended recovery times and even an ineffective implant dentistry treatment overall.
POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO RESTORATIONS
In addition to affecting the dental implants, teeth grinding can cause damage to the dental appliances and restorations that are supported by dental implants. This means chips and cracks to crowns, bridges, and dentures, which will require these appliances to be replaced or repaired sooner than they ought to be.
WAYS OF ADDRESSING TEETH GRINDING
One of the most common means of treating teeth grinding is the use of a night guard. This is a plastic mouthpiece worn during sleep that prevents direct contact between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch. By wearing a night guard, the pressure exerted on the teeth and the potential damage done is reduced.
Since stress contributes to teeth grinding in a number of cases, various kinds of exercises and stress-relief activities are often recommended.
CONTACT OUR ADVANCED DENTAL CARE CENTER TODAY
For more information about dental implants and how they can help you have a healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist today. Dr. Mounir Iskandar and the entire team at the practice will help you have a healthy and beautiful smile.