If you are suffering from persistent pain in your jaw, neck, or head, this may be due to a condition called bruxism. This condition is characterized by a habit of grinding, clenching or gnashing of the teeth. It may occur consciously while awake and under increased stress or intense physical activity, or, subconsciously during sleep. In many cases, the person who is bruxing or clenching may not realize they are doing so until they are told by a significant other that they are heard grinding their teeth while they sleep.
A Nightguard is a type of a mouth guard effective in reducing the adverse effects of bruxism. At Leslie Family Dental, we deliver custom Nightguards to patients searching for relief and protection from the adverse effects of bruxism. If you need a custom high-quality Nightguard in Newmarket, consider getting fitted for one at our dental clinic to obtain the maximum protection for your teeth, dental prosthetics, facial muscles and jaw joints.
The Role of Nightguards
Teeth grinding or bruxism may lead to dental problems such as premature tooth wear (making teeth appear short, flat and less esthetic), tooth fractures, loose teeth, or even tooth loss. These may require extensive dental work to correct. The negative effects of bruxism are not limited to dental problems and may also affect the jaw joints, worsen Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) symptoms in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), and cause facial and neck muscle fatigue or spasms.
Early symptoms of bruxism may include chronic headaches, neck pain, as well as increased muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. Dr. Weizblit can identify evidence of bruxism by inspecting your dentition and looking for indicators such as flattened or worn tooth surfaces, receding gums, chipped edges, “pot holes” on chewing tooth surfaces, and, step-like areas around the gumlines of teeth (also known as abfractions). If any of those are detected, you will likely be recommended a Nightguard appliance.
Nightguards work to eliminate clenching and grinding during sleep by repositioning the Temporomandibular Joint from its normal resting position. When repositioned, the tendency to clench or grind is significantly reduced or eliminated. This relieves muscle tension and spasms and may eliminate many of the symptoms associated with bruxism. Furthermore, the Nightguard is typically made of a thermoplastic material that functions as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth and prevents tooth-to-tooth wear from occurring.
Nightguards have other applications aside from preventing bruxism. For people with dental implants, crowns or bridges, they are used to protect prosthetic components from undesirable forces and increase their longevity. In cases where people have recently lost a tooth, Night guards can help prevent tipping of adjacent teeth into the open space and super-eruption of opposing teeth into the space. It is important to note that this only works if the Nightguard is worn very regularly. It is important to note that if a long time has passed since the loss of the tooth, the tipping or super-eruption may have already taken place and it would be too late to do anything about it with a Nightguard.
Nightguard Cost-Effectiveness
As with many other things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The cost of a custom moulded nightguard is a fraction of what it might cost to rehabilitate an entire set of teeth damaged by bruxism. Full mouth rehabilitation can cost tens of thousands of dollars in cases where tooth grinding affected all dentition and caused overclosure due to shortening of the teeth. Therefore, you should consider a Nightguard to be an investment to protect your dentition – a dental insurance policy of sorts. It is a preventive measure to stave off potentially costly treatment for wear and tear or injury. In many cases, your insurance company may cover the cost of the Nightguard. Our staff at Leslie Family Dental will be happy to pre-determine your coverage for a nightguard with your insurance carrier should you need one.
What Type of Custom Nightguards Exist?
The dentist would typically assess your dentition and ask you some questions to determine the best type of Nightguard for you.
Nightguards can be for the upper arch or lower arch (but not both at the same time!) Most often (~90% of the time), an upper Nightguard is chosen but in some cases where, for instance, severe gagging is an issue, a lower one can be made.
Nightguards may cover the entire dentition or may be shorter, leaving some teeth uncovered. Even if the guard is not covering all your teeth, it still protects them from grinding because with the Nightguard inserted, the teeth will not be touching each other. Shorter Nightguards have the advantage of feeling less bulky in the mouth but would wear faster because they have less surface area. For more severe bruxism cases, full arch guards would be recommended as they distribute the forces over a larger surface area and would therefore last longer.
There are also choices in material hardness depending on the level of bruxism you exhibit. Guards can be made soft, hard, or mixed (hard on the outside and soft on the inside). Most often, the hard version is recommended as it is the most durable one. There are also thinner guards that can be worn during the day but they must still be removed when eating and affect your speech when inserted.
How Long Will a Nightguard Last?
Generally, a well-maintained nightguard would last several years. Heavy grinders may wear through their Nightguard faster and require more frequent replacement for obvious reasons.
To maximize your Nightguard’s longevity and effectiveness, always make sure to follow the care and use instructions given to you with the guard. Keep it away from harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. For folks with pets, dogs in particular, be aware that dogs love to chew on Nightguards. So if you’ve got a dog, do what you can to keep the Nightguard out of their reach. Don’t say we didn’t tell you!
The good news is that Nightguards are a wear and tear item and if you’ve got dental insurance, there is often coverage for a new Nightguard every so often (usually 2-3 years, sometimes even yearly, depending on your plan). Our team at Leslie Family Dental can check the frequency for you and help you get a new Nightguard if your old one is worn out, lost, or was chewed by your pet.
Your smile is one of your greatest assets and preserving it should be a top priority. For a high-quality Nightguard in Newmarket, come to Leslie Family Dental today and get fitted for one. It will help keep you smiling confidently for years to come!
