Tooth Adjustments for Teeth Grinding – Fort Worth, TX
Stop Your Chronic Pain with Personalized Care
If you wake up in the morning feeling as if you’ve been punched in the jaw, then the problem may be that you grind your teeth during the night. In dentistry, teeth grinding is called bruxism and most often occurs unconsciously during sleep. Nevertheless, there are people who grind or clench their teeth during the day, too. You may notice that your teeth forcefully come together when you are concentrating on a mentally challenging task or lifting something heavy. Whether you brux during the day or only at night, treatment is available from the dentists at Fort Dental, including tooth adjustments for teeth grinding in our Fort Worth, TX dental office.
Symptoms of Bruxism
In addition to sore teeth and jaws, there are other symptoms connected with bruxism. These include:
- Headaches
- Facial muscle pain or weakness
- Temporomandibular (TMJ) discomfort
- Ear pain without evidence of infection
- Stiffness in your shoulders and neck
In addition, you and your Fort Worth dentist may notice that some of your teeth show signs of abnormal wear. This can eventually lead to fractured teeth that require extraction and replacement.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
According to the Bruxism Association, the most common reasons for teeth grinding and clenching are stress and anxiety. Studies also show that people who smoke or are heavy drinkers of alcohol or caffeine are also more prone to grind their teeth. In addition, people with depression and those who snore or have obstructive sleep apnea may also be teeth grinders.
Tooth Adjustments for Teeth Grinding
While there are several treatment options for bruxism including custom-fitted nightguards, lifestyle changes and behavior modifications, Fort Dental also offers teeth adjustments. With this treatment, Dr. Cheng, Dr. Thorburn, Dr. Luk, or Dr. Cox may need to combine procedures. Options include:
- Reshaping a tooth’s biting surface - If grinding has caused abnormal wear, then the dentist may need to drill and fill a tooth in order to reshape an uneven or rough surface. One or more teeth may need to be reshaped.
- Restoration of teeth - Teeth that are cracked or broken as a result of bruxism may require reconstruction. We may need to remove and replace old fillings, place a dental crown or use composite bonding material on damaged teeth. This way, teeth are restored and your bite is comfortable.
- Nightguards - These custom-fitted oral appliances are usually worn at night when teeth grinding most often occurs. The nightguard prevents your upper and lower teeth from meeting, and reduces jaw pressure. This same appliance can also be worn during the day if necessary.
- Orthodontic treatment - In some case, braces and retainers may be required to reposition your teeth and bring your bite into proper alignment in order to remedy bruxism.