Teethgrinding and retainers

Message

#1 Post by **dubnobass** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:06 am

I clench my teeth in my sleep (and grind sometimes too). I'll be getting de-braced in a couple of months, and have been told I'm likely to be in Essix retainers. I suspect that the poor old retainers are going to get trashed very quickly.

Is it possible to have mouthguards for night time wear made which fit the teeth closely enough to work as retainers? Failing that, can anyone else share what their orthodontist has advised, for cases of nightime teethgrinding?

#2 Post by **Granola** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:12 pm

I currently have an upper Hawley and a lower bonded retainer.

I was started out with an upper Biostar, which is like an Essix (with a plan to move to a Hawley two months post debonding) and noticed that I was grinding - I could see the wear on the Biostar.

My ortho made me an extra thick lower Biostar as a nightguard, and so far so good. I'm glad to know that I'm grinding on that rather than my teeth. If/when I wear that one down or break it, I'll have another made. It is completely comfortable and fits right over my lower bonded retainer.

#3 Post by **Chris** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:38 pm

I have a grinding and clenching problem too. I wear an upper essix and lower hawley (because of the need for springs in the lower) but my upper essix in the back does have some 'grooves' in it already.

I want to get an upper nightguard but afraid of the thickness may cause the upper back teeth to touch too much (they do even with the essix.) Does anyone know if the nightguards can be adjusted (or ground down) in the back and not affect the usage?

#4 Post by **katmc_tx** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:24 am

After I got my braces off and went to my general dentist he mentioned that I may be clenching and I should get a nightguard. I told him I currently had an essix retainer for my top teeth and he said the nightguard would be a suitable replacement.

What I find weird is that I look at my essix retainer and have not noticed any type of wear except my two front teeth. How long should it take for you to notice if you do indeed clench your teeth on an essix retainer

He said I should get it asap cause the clenching can cause TMJ and other assortied problems. I'm scheduled to go back for a two month retainer check with my ortho and will disscuse it with her and see what she suggests and go from there.