I'm Getting Crowns in the Front 4 Teeth and I Grind my Teeth Bad at Night Would a Retainer Necessary?

Yes, since you are a grinder, probably having a night guard will be necessary to protect your new dental pieces. The forces of the bite can be incredibly strong and of course you can literally unglue them at night. We do recommend always a nigh guard for patients that come to restore their teeth damaged by grinding, I think it is a good idea.

Patients that grind their teeth at night or nocturnal grinders are best served by having a night guard or dental appliance made.  Before initiating treatment on your front teeth, find out why crowns are necessary on all front 4 teeth and what can be done to prevent more teeth from braking down.  If you have an occlusal or bite related problem, that needs to be taken care of before restoring the front teeth.  When someone has extensive treatment in our dental practice, a night guard or dental appliance is made.  Sometimes Botox, which can reduce biting intensity if injected in the muscles of mastication, is necessary and can help to correct these occlusal problems in combination with a dental appliance.  

You must likely don/t mean a retainer but are thinking of a night guard to prevent or reduce damage to your teeth and or crowns and yes that would be a good idea good luck

 

Kevin Coughlin DMD, MBA, MAGD      CEO Baystate Dental PC