Grinding of the teeth is a medical condition called bruxism. Over time, bruxism will result in the wearing down of your natural tooth enamel. In fact, studies suggest that those who grind and clench their teeth may experience up to 80 times the normal wear per day compared to those who do not.
Severe tooth, jaw or facial muscle pain are common side effects of bruxing or clenching of the teeth. The good news is that these aches can be alleviated with a dentist-prescribed, custom-made Bite Splint.
The Bite Splint is a proactive step in protecting your existing healthy teeth. It is a clear, thin customized device that fits over your upper teeth during sleep that can offset the effects of bruxing or clenching while protecting your teeth from daily wear and tear.
Dr Shapiro will examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. He will also look at your teeth for evidence of grinding and wear facets. During this examination, he will check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and the jaw joint. He will look for broken teeth, missing teeth and poor tooth alignment.
