If you think you are suffering from bruxism, Dr. Miller can make you a dental guard or a splint to protect your teeth.
A dental guard or splint can reduce tooth abrasion. Dental guards are typically made of plastic and fit over some or all of upper and lower teeth. The guard protects the teeth from abrasion and can reduce muscle strain by allowing the upper and lower jaw to move easily with respect to each other. Treatment goals include: constraining the bruxing pattern to avoid damage to the temporomandibular joints; stabilizing the occlusion by minimizing gradual changes to the positions of the teeth, preventing tooth damage and revealing the extent and patterns of bruxism through examination of the markings on the splint’s surface. A dental guard is typically worn during every night’s sleep on a long-term basis.
The best way to mitigate clenching or grinding is to find the cause of stress in your life and do what you can to relieve that stress. Enjoy time outdoors, mediate or exercise to reduce the strain on your teeth.
