Teeth Grinding / Bruxism
Diagnosis & Treatment of Teeth Grinding & Bruxism at Georgia Dental Medicine

Bruxism

Chronic teeth grinding and clenching is a condition known as Bruxism. Bruxism can occur in children or adults, and may be related to other conditions, such as sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint disorders (jaw joints).

Bruxism is an unconscious habit that often occurs while the patient is asleep. Patients that grind or clench their teeth during sleep generally complain of frequently waking up feeling tired, or experiencing morning facial pain or tension headaches.

Dental Problems related to Teeth Grinding & Clenching

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, however teeth can be damaged by continually clenching together or gnashing over each other. Patients that have had long term bruxism can wear down their teeth to the extent that they become sensitive and painful. It is not uncommon for a bruxism patient to fracture a tooth, requiring an extraction.

Bruxism also takes a toll on the jaw joints (TMJ). While healthy TMJ are built to withstand the bite pressure and impact of normal chewing and speaking, the added strain on the jaw muscles and vibrating shock throughout the bite system that occurs with bruxism can cause significant damage to the interworking bones, tendons and tissues of the TMJ.

Teeth Grinding & Bruxism Diagnostics at Georgia Dental Medicine

The first step to diagnosing bruxism is a complete dental examination and consultation with our Marietta general and TMJ dentist Dr. Chris Anderson. During your dental exam, Dr. Anderson will examine the teeth to look for signs of tooth decay or wear, and ask you to move your jaw to observe for any signs of joint problems. He will review digital dental x-rays to check for dental bone loss or periodontal disease.

During this visit, Dr. Anderson will talk with you about your concerns and ask you about facial pain, headaches or other symptoms that might indicate problems with bruxism or a TMJ disorder. He may recommend a thorough bite and TMJ analysis with CBCT 3D diagnostic imaging and occlusal (bite) testing to arrive at a diagnosis of bruxism or other health conditions that may be causing you to grind and clench your teeth.

Treatment for Teeth Grinding & Bruxism

Dr. Anderson may recommend a combination of treatments for teeth grinding and bruxism. Generally, the first step is to prevent further damage by designing a dental bite guard (night guard) that is worn throughout the day and overnight. The bite guard is made of hard plastic and fits over the teeth. It serves as a buffer between the teeth to distribute the pressure of clenching and allows the teeth to slide over the plastic surface of the bite guard instead of having teeth clash against each other as they attempt to grind together.

If Dr. Anderson determines that other health conditions such as TMJ disorders or sleep apnea are a possible underlying cause of bruxism, he may recommend further treatment or evaluation. If sleep apnea is a concern, Dr. Anderson will refer the patient to a sleep physician for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Healthy teeth are important to stopping and preventing oral and facial pain. During your consultation visit, Dr. Anderson will also recommend restorative treatments such as crowns, fillings or dental implants to correct tooth damage and restore health to your bite.