A 2021 survey by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute showed that more than 70% of dentists noticed signs of bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) in their patients. Facial pain, tooth attrition, morning/consistent headaches and recession of the gingival tissues are normal consequences of bruxism.
Many patients have been told that they have “TMJ.” TMJ refers to the Tempromandibular joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull. Hyperactivity of the chewing muscles during bruxism causes pain to the joint area, face and scalp. Often, the chewing muscles are responsible for the pain, not necessarily the joint itself.
Custom Oral Appliances
The ability to interlock the upper and lower teeth creates phenomenal force and contributes substantially to the pain of bruxism. Fabrication of a custom acrylic appliance (a nightguard) creates a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, minimizing the ability of the teeth to interlock.
Nightguards are beneficial for a host of reasons:
- Nightguards reduce tooth wear from grinding
- Nightguards reduce facial pain by interrupting the interlocking of teeth and associated stress
- Nightguards reduce gum recession by reducing forces on the teeth and redistributing forces across all teeth
Some instances of facial pain require more than a nightguard to aid in resolution. Our office uses Botox™ injected into the chewing muscles to weaken the forces that cause pain. Botox™, in conjunction with nightguard therapy, is a great combination for facial pain intervention.
There are additional sources of TMJ conditions, including internal joint derangement and arthritis. These circumstances may require intervention beyond nightguard appliances.