What is bruxism?
Whether it’s whilst sleeping or subconsciously whilst awake, many people exert biting forces on their jaws and teeth beyond that of normal function. This can lead to a number of issues from tooth damage and severe jaw ache to headaches and muscle pain.
If treated early the side effects of bruxism can be minimised but if left untreated the condition can be detrimental to your health. So if you suffer from bruxism and are considering grinding teeth treatment in Sydney, you can contact The Dentist at 70 Pitt St for a range of treatment options.
Bruxism is a condition that affects around 8-10% of the population and is most common in 25-44 year olds. People with the condition typically grind their teeth and clench their jaw (both during sleep and whilst awake), which causes tooth damage, jaw disorders and head and muscle aches.
What causes bruxism?
There are several factors that can lead to excessive teeth grinding:
- Anxiety and stress
- Alcohol
- Medications
- Caffeine
- A misaligned bite
- Jaw disorders
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching often occur whilst we’re sleeping,
What issues can teeth grinding lead to?
If left untreated, the cumulative damage caused by bruxism can lead to the following:
- Dull headaches
- Jaw ache or pain
- Loose or painful teeth
- Fractured Teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Headaches
- Cracked fillings
- Fracture and failure of dental restorations
- Difficulty eating
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Muscle tension
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder
- Jaw joint dislocation
- Frozen jaw
- Depression or anxiety
The benefits of treating bruxism
The main benefit of treating bruxism is when you address it at an early stage you have a good chance of avoiding significant tooth damage and repair (such as root canal therapy). However, treatment will also relieve headaches and jaw and muscle pain, significantly improving your overall quality of life.
Am I a good candidate for
grinding teeth treatment?
If you wake up in the morning with a tight jaw, headache, or sensitive teeth then you may be suffering from bruxism and so may be a good candidate for grinding teeth treatment.
Your dentist can spot signs of bruxism during regular visits and exams, will be able to confirm if you’re suffering from the condition and provide you with several treatment options.
*Example only
There are a number of treatment options that can help combat bruxism.
Bruxism treatment options in Sydney
There are several options when it comes to treating bruxism. From repairing and correcting the affected teeth, to injections that result in less active jaw muscles:
- Muscle relaxing injections
- Correcting misaligned teeth
- Repairing damaged teeth
- Occlusal splint
- Stress management
- Lifestyle adjustments
*Example only.
If left untreated bruxism can cause severe damage to your teeth.
New Patient Offer
1st Visit comprehensive Examination,
Check-up, Teeth Cleaning for New Patients
- Pay Only $300 (regular price: $486)
- Comprehensive Oral Examination and Consult ($65)
- 2x bite-wing x-rays ($42 each)
- 1x Dental Panoramic OPG x-ray ($100)
- Comprehensive Scale & Clean ($210)
- Fluoride treatment ($27)
How much is the cost of teeth
grinding treatment in Sydney?
The cost of teeth-grinding treatment will depend on the severity of your condition, how early you’re addressing the issue and what treatments are required. After a thorough inspection, we will be able to provide you with a treatment plan and an accurate breakdown of costs.
Meet Our Team
Click here to find out more information about our team of experts:
Dr. Catherine-Anne Walsh
Dentist
Dr Catrina
Carroll
Dentist
Dr Vinaya
Sunkersett
Dentist
FAQs
Below you can find our FAQs about bruxism treatment at our Sydney Clinic.
Yes, your dentist is the ideal candidate to fix problems caused by bruxism. They will not only be able to repair any damage caused by excessive teeth grinding and jaw clenching, but they can also provide you with a number of preventative treatments to minimise future issues.
If you believe you may be suffering from bruxism you should see your dentist as soon as possible. If you address the issue at an early stage you have a good chance of preventing serious damage to your teeth.
If you wake up in the morning with a tight jaw, headache or sensitive teeth, or are suffering from any of the issues mentioned above, then there is a good chance that you are grinding your teeth in your sleep. Regular visits to your dentist will enable them to determine if you’re grinding your teeth.
The time it takes to treat bruxism will vary depending on the individual, the severity of the condition and the type/amount of treatment required. Catching the condition early is likely to reduce the amount of treatment needed.
Yes, a dentist can repair teeth grinding damage. Minor cases can often be fixed through dental bonding or veneers. However, if the enamel has been severely compromised, then a dental crown may be necessary.
All of the methods have proven to be effective however, the most common (and highly effective) is the use of occlusal splints, which are designed to protect your teeth by preventing inadvertent tooth movement.
Anti-wrinkle injections are muscle relaxants and when administered to the masseter muscles, temporarily weaken them. As a result the jaw is much less likely to involuntary clench which stops the teeth from grinding. They are typically repeated approximately every 3 months to maintain results and prevent further bruxism.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second
opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Contact us for more information.
Book an appointment today and save $177 on your first visit
Why choose us to be your teeth-grinding specialist in Sydney?
At The Dentist at 70 Pitt Street, our philosophy is simple – we’re looking to build long-lasting relationships with our patients and want to make their experience with us as pleasant as possible. We provide professional, friendly customer service at all times and offer practical education and advice that all of our patients can follow because we know that dental health is an essential part of your overall health care.
How to contact us at our Sydney clinic
- Day Time +61292333399
After Hours 0406986909 - Email Us: info@thedentist.net.au
- 1/70 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Mon & Thu: 8am-7pm
Tue, Wed & Fri: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 8am-1pm
Sunday: closed
What is an occlusal splint?
A large number of people clench and grind their teeth. This is mostly a subconscious habit and people do it when they’re concentrating, stressed, or sleeping. It’s a difficult habit to control and can cause fracture and heavy wear even on healthy teeth. While it’s not always possible to ‘cure’ this habit, we can help prevent damage to your teeth.
So if you’re one of the many people that suffer from teeth clenching and grinding, you could benefit from occlusal splints. Sydney residents can contact us today to find out how this removable dental appliance can not only protect your teeth but help reduce headaches and face pain,
An occlusal splint is a hard plastic oral appliance that is designed to be worn while you’re sleeping. It’s custom-made and removable and designed to help prevent and protect the teeth,
jaw and muscles from overuse, wear and damage. Also known as a bite splint, night guard or dental splint, they’re ideal for counteracting excessive clenching and grinding of the teeth.
Why are night guards necessary?
If you suffer from teeth grinding and don’t use a night guard, it can have serious implications for your dental health. The enamel surfaces of your teeth will rapidly wear down and as a result, the soft internal part of the tooth will be left exposed.
Bacteria will then be able to penetrate through to the nerve which may require you to have a root canal, crowns or veneers.
What happens after I have a night guard fitted?
Once you’ve had your night guard fitted, this is what you need to know:
General Usage
Make sure you wear your dental splint as instructed by your dentist (don’t use it while eating). It is usually only worn at night but some patients may also need to also use it during the day if necessary. At first, it may feel tight on your teeth and you may experience increased salivation but this is completely normal. Typically it takes about a month for patients to get used to wearing a dental splint.
Daily Care and Cleaning
You must only ever rinse your splint with cold water. Overnight you can store it in either a moist tissue or cold water. If it dries out, you will need to soak it in water for 24 hours in order for it to re-establish its original shape. For cleaning purposes, you’ll need to soak it Steradent for an hour each week.
Maintaining Correct Fit
It’s important that you use your dental splint at least every 2 weeks. If it’s left longer than this, your teeth may move permanently and as a result, the splint will no longer fit. You’ll have to return to your dentist to get it realigned, or worst case scenario you may have to get an entirely new dental splint made.
FAQs
Below are some of our most frequently asked questions about dental splints:
A dental splint typically lasts from 3 to 5 years.
Night guards are normally made from hard plastic but are sometimes made of softer acrylic-based materials.
There are 3 different types of occlusal splints, general splints (to treat TMJ disorder), SOMA and Somnomed.
It usually takes two appointments to get a dental splint made. The first is to take moulds or scans of your teeth and the second is to collect the splint after it’s been sent to a dental lab to be made.
A dental splint should be replaced after it's worn down after use or no longer fits.
At first, night guards may be uncomfortable to wear but after about a month patients tend to get used to them.
If you suffer from persistent teeth grinding and clenching then yes you should wear your dental splint every night to prevent any permanent damage to your teeth and jaw joints.
If your occlusal splint doesn’t fit anymore you will need to visit your dentist to have it repaired, reshaped or to have a new one created.
If your night guard doesn’t fit properly after having a filling then you should book an appointment with your dentist to identify and solve the issue.
The most common reason that your dental splint makes you gag is that it’s either too long or too high in the mouth. You should consult your dentist if the problem persists.
Book an appointment today and save $177 on your first visit
Why choose us to fit your night guard for teeth grinding?
At The Dentist at 70 Pitt Street we believe in three things:
- Professional, friendly customer service at all times
- Preventative dental care that leads to healthy teeth
- Practical education and advice that everyone can follow
We believe that your dental health is an essential part of your overall health care and just because it’s important, doesn’t mean it can’t be both a pleasant and an affordable experience.