Can Bruxism Lead to Dental Implant Failure?

If you frequently grind and clench your teeth due to bruxism, you’re probably already aware of the damage that the condition can do to your enamel. But what if you replace one or more of your teeth with dental implants? Could bruxism cause the implant posts to fail? Could it even disqualify you from having dental implants placed to begin with? Here’s what you need to know before starting the process of rebuilding your smile.

How Can Bruxism Affect Dental Implants?

When dental implants are placed in your jaw, they will gradually fuse with the surrounding bone via osseointegration. This natural process is essential for ensuring the success of your implant posts. However, it can take several months to complete, and during that time the implant posts need to remain still.

If you have bruxism, the repeated clenching and grinding can end up putting a lot of pressure on the implant posts, causing them to move slightly. This could ultimately stop osseointegration from happening as intended, resulting in dental implant failure.

Even if your dental implants do manage to form a bond with your jaw, the continuous pressure that bruxism exposes them to could still damage the posts as well as the prosthesis that they support.

Will Bruxism Stop You From Getting Dental Implants?

Fortunately, even if you have bruxism, that doesn’t always mean you have to give up on the idea of replacing your teeth with dental implants. When you visit your dentist for a dental implant consultation, be sure to let them know about your bruxism; they can help you figure out the best way to address the problem so that it doesn’t interfere with the dental implant process.

How Can Bruxism Be Treated?

Nighttime bruxism is commonly treated with a nightguard. The main function of this oral appliance is to keep the upper and lower rows of teeth separated. This offers protection against the forces involved with clenching and grinding, thus keeping your dental implants (and the rest of your smile) safe while you sleep.

Of course, you can also experience bruxism during the day. Generally speaking, the best thing you can do about this problem is make an active effort to keep your jaw relaxed. Also, bruxism is frequently a side effect of stress and anxiety, so it’s worth taking whatever measures you can to manage such feelings; meditation and practicing yoga can often help.

At the end of the day, bruxism is definitely not something you can afford to ignore if you want to get dental implants, but it’s completely possible to get the problem under control so that it’s no longer an obstacle to creating a strong, sturdy new smile.

About the Practice

At Souris Valley Dental Group, we’ve been protecting and improving smiles with the latest techniques for decades. From nightguards for bruxism to start-to-finish dental implant treatments, our team offers all kinds of services under a single roof. To schedule a consultation at our office in Minot, visit our website or call (701) 852-5595.