Invisalign and Teeth Grinding: What You Need To Know

Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step toward a healthier, straighter smile. But it can also bring new oral habits to light. Teeth grinding is a common condition that affects many people, including those undergoing orthodontic treatment. This is also called bruxism, which makes you clench or grind your teeth.

While Invisalign trays are designed to shift your teeth gradually towards ideal positions, managing the additional pressure from grinding is essential to keep your treatment on track. This guide explains what teeth grinding is, how it can interact with Invisalign, what to watch out for, and importantly, how to manage your Invisalign treatment if you have teeth grinding.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to gradually guide your teeth into an ideal alignment. Each set of aligners is worn for approximately one to two weeks before being replaced with the next set in the series. The aligners are designed to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, and are removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and cleaning your teeth. 

It relies on digital scans, 3D imaging, and Invisalign’s ClinCheck software to map out your tooth movements from start to finish, before a single aligner is even made. This allows you to preview how your teeth will move and see the expected outcome before treatment begins. 

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What Is Teeth Grinding?

The clinical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. It involves involuntarily clenching or grinding your upper and lower teeth together, and it can happen during the day or at night while you sleep, or both. Many people are not even aware they do it until a dentist notices the signs, such as worn enamel or a flattened biting surface on the teeth.

The causes of bruxism vary. Stress and anxiety are among the most common triggers. A misaligned bite (where the upper and lower teeth do not come together evenly) can also play a role, as the jaw may grind in an attempt to find a more comfortable resting position. Other contributing factors can include sleep disorders, certain medications, and lifestyle habits such as excessive caffeine intake.

Click here to learn more about how teeth grinding can be managed with dental mouth guards.

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What Happens When You Grind Your Teeth With Invisalign On?

If you have bruxism, you may grind or clench your teeth irrespective of day or night. In case you are going through Invisalign treatment, it can affect you in many ways.

1) Challenges

Physical Damage to Aligners

Grinding and clenching can place additional pressure on your aligners beyond what they were designed for. Over time, or during periods of intense grinding, this can cause the surface of the trays to wear down, develop small cracks, or become scratched. When clear aligners become scratched or cloudy, they lose some of their discreetness, which is one of the main reasons patients choose them in the first place.

Pain and Fit Issues

Constant abrasion may cause pressure points and discomfort. Sudden grinding episodes can add additional force to the Invisalign aligners, often resulting in tooth soreness.

In more severe cases, a teeth grinding episode can distort the shape of the tray, which may affect how well it fits and, in turn, how effectively it moves your teeth during that wear period. 

2) The reassuring part

It is worth knowing that for some patients, grinding can temporarily worsen at the very start of Invisalign treatment. This happens because your teeth are beginning to shift, which can cause mild sensitivity that the jaw responds to by clenching more. This is usually temporary and settles down as your teeth and jaw adjust. 

May Assist In Protecting Your Teeth

Invisalign aligners act as a physical barrier which protects your teeth from damage, to some extent. This means that when you grind, you are grinding against the plastic rather than directly against your tooth enamel. This provides a degree of protection for your teeth during the course of treatment, reducing the enamel wear that bruxism would otherwise cause. Although these are not as effective as night guards, they do to a certain extent, minimise the impact.

What Does The Research Say?

Invisalign is not a solution for bruxism. If you are undergoing Invisalign treatment, there are several methods to manage teeth grinding while wearing it.

• It is recommended to wear your aligners as prescribed by your dentist. This will help you maintain a steady progress.

• A study conducted in 2024 found that Invisalign users experienced significant reduction in teeth grinding sensations and TMJ pain after the treatment ¹. The study stated  that for patients whose bruxism is related to bite misalignment, Invisalign treatment may gradually reduce grinding symptoms as the teeth move into their ideal positions. However, this will not be the case for every patient, particularly those whose grinding is primarily driven by stress or other non-dental factors. 

   

• If you have severe teeth grinding, your dentist may recommend wearing a custom night guard instead of Invisalign aligners during the night time for extra protection. It is a good idea to talk to your dentist to discuss the options.

How to Manage Teeth Grinding During Invisalign Treatment?

1) Wear your aligners as prescribed

It is important to keep your aligners in for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day. Consistent wear not only keeps your treatment on track, it also means your teeth are protected from the effects of grinding throughout the day and night.

2) Tell your dentist about your grinding habit

If you know you grind your teeth, or even if you suspect you might, be upfront with your dentist from the start. This allows them to factor it into your treatment plan, monitor your aligners more closely for signs of wear, and arrange replacement trays promptly if a set becomes damaged before you are due to change it.

3) Consider stress management

Since stress is a common driver of teeth grinding, addressing it directly can make a difference. This might include exercise, relaxation techniques, or other lifestyle adjustments. Your dentist can advise on what might be helpful alongside your orthodontic treatment.

4) Nightguard considerations

In cases of severe grinding, your dentist may discuss the option of a custom nightguard for additional protection. However, it is important to understand that a nightguard and your Invisalign aligners cannot be worn at the same time. And since your aligners need to be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours daily to be effective, this is a balance your dentist will need to think through carefully with you. It is not a straightforward swap, and the right approach will depend on your individual situation.

5) Limit triggers

Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, particularly in the evenings, can help decrease the frequency of grinding, especially during sleep. Staying well hydrated is also helpful, as dry mouth can worsen bruxism.

Conclusion

Although it plays an important role, Invisalign is not a direct remedy for teeth grinding. Wearing Invisalign to correct bite misalignment can indirectly influence underlying bruxism symptoms in some cases.

To effectively manage stress-related clenching, it is advisable to be open with your dentist, wear the aligners as prescribed, and develop healthy habits. A customised approach can support your smile as you aim for a straighter bite.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign and Teeth Grinding

Q) Can you use Invisalign if you grind your teeth?

In most cases, yes. Invisalign can be worn by people with teeth grinding or clenching issues. Teeth grinding is not an automatic barrier to Invisalign treatment.

However, it is important to consult with your dentist to understand the process. In case you have active gum disease, you may not be a candidate until you get treated.

Q) Is it normal to grind your teeth more when you first start Invisalign? 

It can be. Some patients notice a temporary increase in grinding at the start of treatment as their teeth begin to shift and mild sensitivity sets in. This usually settles as the teeth and jaw adjust. If you notice persistent or significant discomfort, let your dentist know. 

Q) Will teeth grinding damage my aligners? 

Teeth grinding can cause aligners to wear down more quickly than normal, and in severe cases may lead to cracking or cloudiness. If an aligner does become badly worn or damaged, please contact your dentist promptly to arrange for a replacement. 

Q) Does Invisalign help with teeth grinding?

Invisalign is not a treatment for bruxism, but it can help indirectly in some cases. By correcting bite misalignment, which is a common contributing factor to grinding, Invisalign treatment may reduce the frequency or intensity of bruxism over time. However, if your grinding is primarily stress-related, additional strategies will be needed alongside your Invisalign treatment. 

References

1. Heleiwa-Ferioli, T., et al. "Association between bruxism and the use of aligners in orthodontics." Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, Vol. 16, No. 10, Oct. 2024, pp. 1247-1255. [PubMed: 39544212]