When you grind and clench your teeth in a regular basis, this could mean a disorder known as bruxism. Without treatment, this could eventually damage your teeth and your smile could become vulnerable to serious complications like tooth decay or infection. In today’s blog, your Allen, TX, dentist talks about treating bruxism.
What to Know About Bruxism
The disorder could be brought on by factors that upset bite balance, such as tooth loss, malocclusion, injury to the face or jaw, or even complications with the growth and development of your jaw, or the eruption of the teeth. For others, untreated TMJ disorder could be a factor, as could high levels of stress sin your daily life. Without treatment, the pressure could crack, chip, and wear down tooth structure. Patients could then experience an increased risk of tooth decay and infection, teeth that appear shorter than normal, or toothaches and tooth sensitivity. Other symptoms include jaw and facial pain, headaches and migraines, and aches in the neck and shoulders.
Diagnosing Your Smile
If you encounter one or more symptoms like the ones we discussed above, then be sure you give us a call to schedule a consultation. Our team will take a close look at your smile with advanced digital imaging systems, so we can assess the balance of your smile and identify any telltale signs of wear and friction. Once we do, we can understand the underlying factors and choose the most appropriate treatment options.
Treatment and Repair
For some, we could improve overall bite balance and function with bonding, contouring, or even crown placement. Misalignment could be corrected with orthodontics as well, and prosthetics could address one or more missing teeth. But the most common treatment option is an oral appliance. This device is crafted based on digital images we take of your smile, and fits like a mouthguard. Worn as you sleep, this repositions the jaw to ease tension, and puts a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage. If you have damaged teeth, we can repair them in one visit with bonding and contouring, or possibly in two visits with a custom-made dental crown.
If you have any questions about how we treat bruxism, or about the best ways to prevent grinding and clenching episodes, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a strong and healthy smile!
Talk to Your Allen, TX Dentist About Family Dentistry
We want to help your family avoid damage from untreated bruxism. If you want to know more about protecting your smile from damage and discomfort, or if you are ready to book an appointment, contact your Allen, TX, dentist, Dr. Torrens-Parker, by calling 469-342-6644.
