What is Teeth Clenching (Bruxism) and Temporomandibular Joint Pain?

Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism) is a common problem in adults and sometimes children. It's a habit people often engage in unintentionally during sleep or, in some cases, during the day. These individuals are often unaware that they are grinding their teeth at night. This condition is usually detected by family or friends who notice the grinding sounds they make during sleep. Patients with bruxism may feel tension and pain in their jaws upon waking in the morning, or they may hear a clicking sound coming from their jaw. If it becomes chronic and preventative treatments are not applied, it can lead to problems with their jaw joints.

Furthermore, teeth can break or wear down due to grinding because individuals unconsciously clench their teeth forcefully with their jaw muscles during sleep, causing the surfaces of their teeth to rub together. Teeth grinding (bruxism) in children is often caused by stress, anxiety, the teething process, or problems with the oral cavity. This can lead to a habit of unconsciously clenching and grinding their teeth during the day or at night, and can negatively impact sleep quality and jaw development during growth. Therefore, to prevent long-term problems, a dentist should thoroughly evaluate this condition and plan preventative treatments.

Causes of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

A busy work schedule and stressful daily life, anxiety and psychological factors, sleep disorders, and some neurological disorders are among the primary causes of teeth grinding. Stress and underlying psychological factors often manifest as bruxism during sleep. Other causes include genetic factors, malocclusion, jaw-tooth structure, some rare facial nerve and muscle disorders, and side effects of antidepressant medication use.

Symptoms of Teeth Clenching and Grinding

Bruxism initially manifests itself with symptoms such as waking up with a headache, pain in the jaw and facial muscles, sensitivity to hot and cold, sweet and sour, and fractures or superficial abrasions in the teeth. Worn-down teeth can shorten, which can lead to a decrease in lower facial height and puckered lips, giving the face an aged appearance. Gum recession and joint clicking can also be observed. Over time, the jaw muscles develop and become more pronounced, which can lead to enlargement of the jaw muscles. It can also cause headaches, such as long-term migraine attacks. In the long term, teeth clenching puts constant pressure on the jaw muscles and teeth, leading to various dental diseases, tooth loss, deterioration of the jaw structure, and can trigger temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. All of these symptoms directly affect a person's daily life and sleep quality, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing larger problems.

If you are looking for a specialist dentist for Bursa teeth clenching and grinding complaints, you can contact our team at Jimer Dental Clinics to get detailed information and schedule an appointment for your examination.

Diagnosis Process for Teeth Clenching and Joint Pain

Anyone who notices they are experiencing teeth grinding, or whose family members perceive this condition, should be examined by a dentist if they experience symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or broken teeth. The dentist will thoroughly assess the stiffness and movement of the patient's chewing muscles, the way the teeth bite, and their overall condition. If deemed necessary, they may request a panoramic oral X-ray or dental CT scan to examine potential deformities in the jaw joint and dentition. A personalized treatment plan is created based on a thorough examination of all images and the patient's oral and jaw condition. The treatment methods chosen aim to control the effects of teeth grinding and prevent further problems.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Treatment Methods

The aim of bruxism treatment is to control excessive force in the jaw muscles, protect teeth from wear, and relieve pain. The treatment plan is tailored to the individual based on the severity of the patient's symptoms and the underlying cause.

• Occlusal splint application:

  A custom-made night guard (protective splint) is placed over the teeth, preventing them from touching each other throughout the night. It helps keep the jaw in a resting position. This prevents tooth wear and reduces the strain on the jaw muscles.

• Botox treatment:

  Botox is applied to the chewing muscles to reduce jaw muscle activity, temporarily relaxing the muscles and placing less pressure on the teeth. This method helps reduce pain and allow the jaw muscles to rest. A night guard offers a more effective solution for teeth grinding. The effects of Botox are limited to 4-6 months.

• Orthodontic treatment:

  If your teeth are malocclusion, this can cause unbalanced loads on the jaw muscles and trigger teeth clenching. In some cases, orthodontic treatments can be performed to correct these structural problems and correct the bite. People with misaligned or crooked teeth can experience more detrimental effects from clenching. At Jimer Dental Clinics, our orthodontists, Dt. Çağla Şahin and Dt. Gözde Ütkür, will determine the most appropriate and necessary treatment for you during your examination and offer personalized solutions.

What are the Benefits of a Night Guard in the Treatment of Teeth Grinding?

A night guard is a protective treatment method, creating a rigid barrier between teeth to prevent direct contact between teeth. This reduces the pressure exerted by the chewing muscles, distributing it across the entire jaw, preventing potential wear, cracks, or fractures. It also reduces the load on the jaw joint (TMJ), preventing the muscles from overworking. Dentists recommend wearing the prepared aligners regularly every night. Depending on the severity of the problem, the wearing period can range from a few months to a few years. The dentist may adjust the recommended frequency of use and adjust the aligners during routine checkups.

Treatment of Teeth Grinding with Botox

Botox for teeth grinding (Masseter Botox) is injected into the chewing muscles in the jaw, temporarily relaxing them, thus reducing the force exerted on the teeth and jaw. By limiting involuntary muscle activity at night, Masseter Botox significantly prevents tooth wear and jaw muscle contraction. Furthermore, after Botox, swelling in the muscles at the corner of the jaw decreases, resulting in a slimmer, more natural-looking face.

This simple procedure is short-lived and, in conjunction with a night guard, provides highly effective results. The effects of Botox typically last a maximum of six months and vary from person to person. Therefore, it requires periodic re-applications.

Methods That Can Be Applied at Home

There are also home remedies available for treating teeth grinding. Because teeth grinding is often linked to stress and psychological factors, individuals can also seek advice from a professional on ways to cope with stress and engage in stress-relieving activities (such as breathing exercises, meditation, yoga). Controlling stress and other psychological factors is crucial for the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. For severely sore jaw muscles, painkillers and hot compresses are recommended. Additionally, individuals should reduce caffeine intake, as it can trigger anxiety, and avoid chewing gum, as it strengthens the jaw muscles.

The Relationship Between Teeth Clenching and Dental Aesthetics

Bruxism, the habit of grinding teeth, can negatively affect the appearance and aesthetics of teeth. Due to tooth wear, shortening of teeth can occur, cracks can form on the edges, and irregularities can occur. Additionally, because the enamel on worn and shortened teeth is also damaged, tooth sensitivity increases significantly. A person experiences intense stinging and pain when consuming sour, sweet, hot, cold, or sticky foods, resulting in an inability to chew properly. The shortening and shortening of severely damaged teeth can cause the lips to pucker, impairing their aesthetic appearance and creating an older appearance. In such cases, in addition to teeth clenching treatment methods, a dentist may perform restorative dental treatments such as inlays, onlays, or zirconium crowns to improve the structure, function, and aesthetics of your teeth. Your dentist will guide you on the necessary treatments to restore the aesthetics and function of your teeth.

Smile Design for People Who Grind Their Teeth

Over time, people who experience bruxism (tooth grinding) can experience wear, cracks, deformities, and tissue loss on their teeth. This condition not only affects their oral health but also negatively impacts their aesthetic appearance. Shortened teeth, distorted smile lines, an asymmetrical appearance due to swelling of the jaw muscles, and puckered lips can make smile design treatments necessary for the patient. During a dental examination, after a detailed examination of the entire mouth and teeth, a smile aesthetic treatment plan can be considered if deemed necessary or if the patient wishes to improve their smile line.

Before beginning smile design treatments, the patient's teeth grinding habits must be controlled. Therefore, the dentist may include additional procedures such as night guards, Botox treatments, or orthodontic interventions in the smile design plan. Failure to prevent and control teeth grinding can quickly lead to detrimental effects. In order to ensure that the effects of the smile aesthetics procedure last longer and continue healthily, all necessary treatments are planned as deemed necessary by the dentist and the patient is informed.

Smile design planning stages for individuals with bruxism:

• Restoring tooth dimensions:

  Worn or fractured teeth are restored to their former shape with methods such as zirconium veneers, porcelain veneers (leaf porcelain), or composite bonding.

• Correcting the bite:

  By ensuring the teeth meet correctly, pressure on the jaw joint is reduced. Chewing becomes more efficient.

• Balancing function and aesthetics:

  The design is designed with not only aesthetics but also functional durability in mind.

• Protective treatments:

  After the smile design is completed, custom night guards are recommended to protect the dental restorations.

Smile design for individuals with a grinding habit requires more precise and controlled planning than for those without this problem, so a personalized treatment plan should be implemented by a specialist dentist. At Jimer Dental Clinics, our dentists, with over 15 years of experience, have extensive experience in aesthetic dentistry and smile design treatments for patients with teeth grinding. Thanks to controlled treatment planning and preventive measures, we can implement successful and long-lasting smile designs for individuals who have teeth grinding problems.