When you grind your teeth or clench them on a regular basis, this is known as bruxism. Without treatment, this could turn from an annoying habit to the source of damaged teeth and infection. To offer treatment with precision and accuracy, your Olathe, KS, dentists could provide custom-made occlusal guards.
The Impact of Bruxism
When you grind your teeth on a nightly basis, this places enormous pressure on the teeth. The enamel could be worn down, and the teeth could also crack or chip. This damage then exposes these sensitive inner tissues to harmful oral bacteria, which cause the onset of cavities and infection. The disorder could be brought on by a number of factors, such as high stress levels, missing teeth, untreated TMD, injury to the face or jaw, or complications that arise as the jaw grows and develops. Warning signs could include toothaches and tooth sensitivity, jaw and facial pain, headaches and migraines, and aches in the neck and shoulders. If one or more of these uncomfortable symptoms sounds familiar, then consider scheduling a visit for our team.
Treatment With an Occlusal Guard
When we examine your smile, we will decide on the best course of action. For some, this could mean orthodontics to correct misalignment, or possibly the placement of a dental crown or the use of dental bonding/contouring to improve bite balance. But for many, we offer relief with an oral appliance. The occlusal mouthguard will be custom-made and fitted for your smile based on detailed digital images we gather and combine to create a 3D impression. The resulting appliance is worn as you sleep at night, shifting the jaw to ease strain and correct bite balance. This also prevents further damage by putting a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth.
TMJ Disorder
We can also use the device to treat TMJ disorder, which develops when the joints connecting the jaw and skull undergo too much pressure, leading to painful symptoms and difficulty fully opening and closing the mouth. The same appliances can be used to shift the balance of the bite and offer relief from painful symptoms. In addition, we’ve used this device to bring relief from sleep apnea as well. If you have any questions about how we treat your smile, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk to Our Team Today
We want to help you avoid damages to your smile with a comfortable and noninvasive treatment. Schedule an appointment today and find out more about our custom oral appliance options. You can also call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. Find our office at 15010 S Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.