Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can damage your natural teeth and restorations like fillings and dental crowns. It can cause:
Dr. Douglas A. Callow on TMJ Treatment
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Many patients come to the dentist because they're experiencing problems with their jaw: painful jaw joints, painful muscles, clicking, grinding, popping noises can all trouble patients and fall under the category of what we often refer to as “TMJ” or “TMD”, which is temporomandibular joint dysfunction. We will treat those patients, usually, with removable oral appliances: an appliance called a night guard or a bite splint—an occlusion guard, which, generally, is worn for patients who grind and clench their teeth at night and it's used to treat the symptoms of grinding and clenching, what's often referred to as bruxism. There's also a newer appliance that we use called a NTI-TSS, which is—TSS stands for tensions suppression system and this is a much smaller appliance which is worn, generally, fitted to be worn over the front teeth. Either of these, a night guard or a NTI-TSS can be fitted to fit the upper teeth or the lower teeth, depending on what works best for the patient and their dentition. But the NTI-TSS is the only FDA approved dental appliance, which is approved to prevent and treat migraine headaches. It's very good at relieving the tension of the musculature of the face and jaws and can prevent migraines and help to eliminate pain involved with grinding and clenching of the teeth.
- Worn enamel
- Tooth sensitivity
- Loose teeth
- Chips
- Cracks
- Breaks
Not only that, but teeth grinding has been linked to health problems including:
- Migraine headaches
- TMJ disorder, a condition characterized by chronic jaw pain
Fortunately, Dr. Doug Callow is experienced in treating bruxism and related issues with different types of mouthguards, including a device called an NTI-tss®, which received FDA approval as a migraine treatment in 1998.
If your jaw or your head aches and you think teeth grinding may be the cause, come to our Plymouth, MI dentist office for a free consultation. Douglas A. Callow, DDS will examine you and determine if a mouthguard can relieve your pain. Call 734-404-7336 to make your appointment. Dr. Callow is awarded membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society.
We Treat Teeth Grinding – and Other Conditions – With Mouthguards
Many people get relief from TMJ pain, and related disorders like migraines, with custom mouthguards. Mouthguards relieve the pressure you put on your jaw and prevent you from grinding. Based on his experience treating TMJ disorders and migraines as well as your specific symptoms, Dr. Callow may recommend:
- A bite splint
- An occlusal guard
- A snore guard
- An FDA-approved NTI-tss® device
No matter which mouthguard you need, we’ll take careful impressions and other measurements to ensure you get a perfect fit. We’ll make any needed adjustments when your mouthguard arrives from the off-site lab that manufactures it.
What Is a TMJ Disorder, Anyway?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. It enables you to speak, chew, and yawn. If you’ve got chronic jaw pain, it’s possible you may have a TMJ disorder, or TMD. Other common symptoms include:
- Difficulty moving your jaw, or a jaw that becomes “stuck”
- Radiating pain in your face and/or neck
- Pain when opening or closing your mouth
Though the cause of TMJ disorders isn’t always clear, studies have linked teeth grinding to TMD. If you’re not sure if you grind your teeth, Dr. Callow will examine you for signs of bruxism.
To find out if you need a TMJ treatment for your teeth grinding, call Douglas A. Callow, DDS at 734-404-7336. Or use our online form to schedule an appointment at our Plymouth, MI dentist office.