Dental Nightguards for Bruxism in Fairfax, VA

Fairfax VA Cosmetic and Implant Dentist, Dr. Hang Le uses industry leading materials to fabricate Nightguards which can protect the teeth from the damage of repeated teeth grinding.

 

Do you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw? The regular grinding or clenching of your teeth (Bruxism) is a very common condition that affects about 40 million people in the U.S.

What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is one of the most commonly known sleep disorders and causes most of its damage during sleeping hours.  People who grind and clench their teeth, called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard usually during their deep sleep, or they grind the upper and lower teeth against each other in a side-to-side motion while they sleep. Most occurrences of Bruxism is usually due to stress. The clenching and grinding which accompanies bruxism puts a lot of stress on the jaw, tooth surface and joint.

 

Bruxism can have serious effects on a patient’s oral health which includes the wearing down of the tooth due to repeated grinding and also a possible development of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) disorder which causes pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

Jaw pain due to bruxism
Jaw pain due to bruxism
Bruxism Diagnosis and Treatment in Fairfax, VA
Bruxism is frequently misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, because it is only one of several potential causes of tooth wear and usually requires a trained professional to tell the difference between bruxing wear and wear caused by other sources, i.e. overly aggressive brushing, acidic soft drinks and abrasive foods. Our experienced Fairfax, VA dentist, Dr. Hang Le can spot the signs of Bruxism during your regular dental exam and cleaning.

 

It is important to take steps to treat Bruxism because if left untreated the following conditions could occur:

  1.  Gum recession and tooth loss – Bruxism is one of the leading causes of gum recession and tooth loss; firstly because it damages the soft tissue directly, and secondly because it leads to loose teeth and deep pockets where bacteria can colonize and destroy the supporting bone.
  2.  Occlusal trauma – The abnormal wear patterns on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces can lead to fractures in the teeth, which may require restorative treatment.
  3.  Arthritis – In severe and chronic cases, bruxing can eventually lead to painful arthritis in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joints (the joints that allow the jaw to open smoothly).
  4.  Myofascial pain – The grinding associated with bruxism can eventually shorten and blunt the teeth.  This can lead to muscle pain in the myofascial region and debilitating headaches.

Treating Bruxism with NightGuards
Bruxism does not have a cure, but there are some common treatments in which bruxism and it’s effects can be alleviated either using nightguards or some other prescribed oral devices. Dr. Le treats Bruxism using a custom made specialized acrylic mouthguard, which is designed from your own tooth impressions to minimize the grinding of tooth surfaces while sleeping.

Dr. Le recommends that the Nightguards be worn on a long-term basis to help prevent tooth damage, help to stabilize the occlusion and prevent TMJ disorder.

Nightguard for Bruxism at My Fairfax Dental
Nightguard for Bruxism at My Fairfax Dental

Bruxism is difficult to spot to an untrained eye.

Our experienced Fairfax, VA dentist, Dr. Hang Le can spot the signs of Bruxism during your regular dental exam and cleaning.

For some cases of Bruxism, the teeth grinding is due to stress and you may be able to prevent the problem with counseling or strategies that promote relaxation, such as exercise and meditation.

 

Speak to Dr. Le about any concerns you have about bruxism / teeth grinding during your next dental exam.

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