Grinding your teeth Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause problems over time, damaging your teeth and causing jaw problems. As your teeth wear down, and the inner layers are exposed, you might consider cosmetic dentistry to repair your teeth and improve their appearance. Finding out what treatments are available when you grind your teeth can be tricky, so we are here to help! Our guide today will walk you through whether you can get veneers if you grind your teeth and what other options are available to you.
You can get dental veneers if you grind your teeth, but this will depend on the health of your teeth and the severity of your teeth grinding. During your initial consultation, we will examine your teeth and jaw, looking for signs of teeth grinding. We will usually try to assess the cause of your teeth grinding and discuss with you whether this should be addressed before we install your veneers. In some cases, we will recommend treatments that can reduce your teeth grinding, protecting your natural teeth and future veneers before we begin your cosmetic dentistry.
We usually recommend porcelain veneers if you grind your teeth. Porcelain veneers are the most durable of all veneers, lasting for at least ten years. High strength porcelain veneers can withstand teeth grinding without getting damaged, but you will still need to take care. A mouth guard or night guard is usually recommended to patients who grind their teeth. You will use the night guard every night, protecting your veneers if you continue to grind your teeth. The night guard will stop your veneers from grinding together and becoming weaker or damaged, ensuring that they last for longer.
In some cases, we might try to restore teeth before adding veneers, especially if your inner teeth layers are exposed, as this can cause sensitivity. You might also find that you experience more pain when your veneers are installed. As part of our consultation, we will use x-rays and other scans of your teeth and jaw to determine the damage caused by your teeth grinding and overall oral health to ensure we recommend the right treatment for you.
While some dentists might recommend composite veneers, we do not advise that you use these if you grind your teeth. These aren't as strong as porcelain and can crack and become damaged easily. This would leave you with chipped or cracked veneers that can make eating difficult and impact the appearance of your smile. There is a chance of porcelain veneers fracturing, too, with teeth grinding, which is why we recommend a mouth guard and that we address the cause of your teeth grinding before beginning treatment.
Learn more about our veneer treatment options; porcelain veneers, no prep veneers & composite veneers.
Each cosmetic dentist will have different patient requirements for veneers, so it's best to reach out to us directly to find out what you need for veneers with us. Each case is slightly different, so we recommend booking a consultation to see if veneers are the right option for you and your smile goals.
Generally, we would ask that you have good oral health, with healthy teeth and gums. Signs of gum disease and cavities can be a concern, and we might need to address them before installing veneers. We also require you to have sufficient tooth enamel. We need to remove some of your enamel when we apply the veneers, so there needs to be enough there to support the veneer. This can be tricky if you have ground your enamel away, and we might need to consider alternative treatments.
Patients should also have good oral hygiene habits, including brushing daily, flossing, and attending regular dental appointments. We usually recommend that you avoid bad habits like chewing your nails, ice, and grinding your teeth, as they can all cause damage. As we have said, we can install veneers if you grind your teeth, but we might need to address the cause first.
For many patients, we look at how we can address teeth grinding to help eliminate it and ensure their natural teeth and veneers remain intact. It can be a tricky habit to break, especially if you grind your teeth at night or don't even realise you are grinding your teeth!
The best way to address grinding is to find the cause of your teeth grinding and resolve this issue. The cause of teeth grinding varies from patient to patient, but commonly, we see stress, TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, or malocclusion problems causing teeth grinding. We can address these disorders in a few ways, and we might recommend:
A dental mouthguard
Jaw exercises
Relaxation techniques
TMJ treatment
These treatments and techniques can help to minimise or prevent teeth grinding, protecting your current teeth from damage and ensuring that veneers are protected, too. Before trying any of these treatment options, book an appointment to speak with one of our dentists to see how we can help with your teeth grinding.
Your dreams of a new smile aren't over if veneers aren't the right option for you. Dental crowns are an excellent alternative for anyone who grinds their teeth that isn't suitable for veneers. Dental crowns sit over your natural teeth, improving their appearance and structure to give you a straighter smile.
Dental crowns do require more frequent dentist visits than veneers and the treatment process can take several months, especially if you are missing teeth. For these, we would need to install a small titanium screw in your jaw, wait for this to heal, and then attach a crown to fill any gaps in your smile. The treatment can also be quite expensive, but it is a permanent solution, and as the crowns are stronger than veneers, you don't need to worry about them getting damaged if you continue to grind your teeth. You can learn more about our dental crowns and dental implants here to see which is a better option for you and your smile.
Veneers can be installed if you grind your teeth, but we need to closely examine your teeth and jaw to ensure they are the right option for you. Why not book a consultation with us today to see what your new smile could look like?
Fitting veneers is not usually painful, but you might experience some discomfort. Patients usually experience discomfort when their teeth are being filed, but we can offer a local anesthetic to help with this.
Yes, veneers can break if you grind your teeth. Porcelain veneers are very durable, so it will take a while before they show any signs of damage, but they could fracture, which can leave you in pain and unable to eat properly.
We recommend wearing a nightguard with veneers if you grind your teeth. The guard will offer protection and can also help with your habit of teeth grinding. We can help you find the perfect fitting nightguard and tweak it during dental checkups if needed.
Veneers can be cared for like normal teeth, where you will brush and floss daily. To ensure your veneers do not get damaged, we recommend that you avoid using your teeth to open any packets and limit the amount of sweets you eat. You will also want to attend regular dental check ups to monitor the health of your teeth and gums.
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