If you have bruxism, this means chronic teeth grinding and clenching, which can wear down and damage teeth, leaving them vulnerable to tooth decay and even infection. But we can help treat the issue and protect your smile! In today’s blog, Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about how bruxism damages teeth and how we can treat the issue with an oral appliance.
The Causes of Teeth Grinding
What causes an adult to develop chronic teeth grinding? Bruxism could be the result of an untreated case of TMJ disorder, or even due to high stress levels in daily life. For others, changes to the bite balance could be a factor, such as losing teeth, misalignment, injury, or even concerns with the growth of the jaw or eruption of the teeth. The arrival of wisdom teeth for example could be a cause. Knowing the underlying factors is essential for treatment, and we will obtain this with a detailed examination of your smile using advanced digital technology.
Warning Signs of Bruxism
How do you know if you suffer from chronic teeth grinding? For some, a significant other can let them know that they grind their teeth at night. But there are also symptoms that occur during your waking hours. For example, you could develop headaches and migraines or even pain in the face or jaw. There could be toothaches and tooth sensitivity too. When you have persistent pain in and around your smile, you need to see our team for a diagnosis to find out if you need treatment.
Treatment with a Custom Oral Appliance
To bring relief, we could offer treatment with a custom oral appliance. This device will be worn like a mouthguard as you sleep, and it provides a soft barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further injury to the teeth. At the same time, this can reposition the jaw itself to ease pressure on your bite and correct imbalance. The appliance itself is custom-fitted for you based on detailed digital images and measurements we take of your bite. The appliance is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you too.
If your teeth have been damaged by bruxism, we could provide repair with lifelike bonding in one visit, or with the placement of a custom crown too. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat an issue like bruxism with an oral appliance, or about how we can restore your damaged teeth and ensure lifelike results, then contact our team today to learn more and get started.
Dental Impressions Provides Teeth Grinding Treatment
Preventive dentistry can help you avoid the damage of chronic teeth grinding. To schedule an appointment for general dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
