Bruxism Treatment

Nighttime clenching and grinding are common among modern-day Americans. Unfortunately, these can lead to a variety of dental problems such as muscle tension, headaches, and even tooth loss. At Oral Implants & Reconstructive Dentistry, we can design a custom, comfortable night guard for you to protect your teeth while you sleep!

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism occurs when a person habitually clenches or grinds their teeth. Often, these things happen at night while a person is asleep. This means that many people who are suffering from bruxism do not realize it. This condition can eventually lead to several painful side effects such as migraines, tooth pain, and jaw pain.

What is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder is a condition also known as temporomandibular joint disorder. It is very common and affects the joints in a person’s jaw. This issue often goes hand-in-hand with clenching and grinding and can lead to injury, muscle tension, and lockjaw, among other things. When left untreated, patients may begin to suffer from chronic pain in their face, neck, and mouth.

What Are the Symptoms?

Bruxism and TMJ disorder both cause a variety of unpleasant side effects. If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, you may have one or both of these conditions.

Symptoms include:

• Headaches and migraines
• Worn teeth
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Pain and soreness in jaw joints
• Loose teeth
• Clicking sounds in jaw joints
• Lockjaw
• Pain in the neck, shoulder, or face

Because there are so many symptoms involved, these conditions are generally easy to pinpoint and diagnose. During your consultation with Dr. Heller or Dr. DiDonato, they will discuss your symptoms and will perform a visual examination of your teeth and muscles. Thankfully, both of these oral health issues are simple and easy to treat!

How Can Night Guards Help Me?

Custom night guards are specialized mouth guards that we use to treat bruxism and TMJ disorder. We design night guards to perfectly fit over your teeth. We always make our appliances with high-quality materials, so they can protect your teeth without becoming damaged. Because we customize these night guards for each patient, they are both sleek and comfortable. Since they are thinner than over-the-counter night guards, our custom appliances can adjust your jaw’s position while you sleep to improve breathing!

If you think you may be a candidate for night guards, please call our office today at 614-885-1215!