Bruxism and TMJ

Bruxism

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, often occurs during sleep and is believed to be caused by a lack of symmetry in the teeth, or a disturbed sleep pattern.

As one of the world’s most common sleep disorders, bruxism can cause chips in the teeth, wear of the biting surface and cracks in tooth enamel. This wears down tooth enamel, removes the sharp biting surfaces and flattens the edges of the teeth. Over a period of time, tooth damage will occur and may also lead to tooth loss. At Dental Pro, we can develop a custom-made protective night guard or bite splint to prevent any further damage.

TMJ

In today’s busy lifestyles, headaches and migraines have become part of everyday life for some people. In some instances these may be caused by TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

The temporomandibular joint, where the jaw connects to the skull, allows you to open and close your jaw, talk, swallow, eat and chew. A bad bite, as well as improper jaw position, can contribute to chronic facial pain, which is a sign of TMJ dysfunction.

We can perform a full examination of the TM joints, head, neck and facial muscles. Treatment can vary depending on the individual, although usually a bite splint is recommended, the teeth and occlusion need to be adjusted so they fit together correctly. This is known as neuromuscular dentistry.

Teeth Grinding