Night guard—teeth grinding (bruxism)
How to alleviate headaches and sleep well again?
The night guard is a removable appliance that keeps you from grinding your teeth and rehabilitates the chewing muscles by training them to relax. It’s so simple and comfortable you won’t be able to go without it.
First things first
The dentist will first determine whether you’re grinding your teeth (bruxism) or clenching them. Either of these can occur day or night, but they’re more frequent at night while you sleep. This can lead to worn-down teeth or even loss of dental tissue, which can cause the muscles and joints to compensate and provoke referred pain. There are many causes, but it’s usually directly linked to anxiety and stress.
Night guards to treat teeth grinding (bruxism) at the CHD
During your first appointment, we’ll diagnose the issue and make impressions with high-precision material to design and create the mouth guard in collaboration with the technician.
During your second appointment, we’ll place and adjust the mouth guard. It’s made for a single dental arch, preferably the upper teeth, and only covers part of the teeth. It usually features a comfortable inner layer and a more rigid outer layer, allowing for protection as well as rehabilitation/relaxation of the mastication muscles.
To learn more, watch our explanatory video:
Recommendations
At the end of the session, your dentist will touch-up the surface to ensure a precise fit and explain how to take good care of your mouth guard.
A lot of patients with migraines and neck pain don’t understand the cause until they’re diagnosed with bruxism.
Dr Guau, Dentist – CHD Geneva.
PRICING
Night guard 650.-
On estimate after evaluation.
You can pay by invoice and in instalments.
What is bruxism?
“Bruxism” refers to tooth clenching and grinding. While it can happen at any time of day or night, tooth grinding most commonly occurs when you are sleeping.
Bruxism can be so severe that it causes visible tooth wear. It can also cause muscle pain and tension.
While multiple factors can cause bruxism, stress and anxiety are the biggest culprits.
What are the symptoms and risks of bruxism?
Wear caused by bruxism initially appears as dents on the chewing surface of your teeth, before showing up on the necks of your teeth, the area where your gums and teeth meet.
At this stage, the damage is usually enamel loss which gradually extends down the tooth due to vertical tension, breaking the enamel at its thinnest point. It may not cause sensitivity and it appears gradually over the course of years.
Eventually, once enamel loss has become very extensive, the second layer of your teeth, known as dentin, is exposed, causing sensitivity or even pain.
Over time you may also develop a contracture, or permanent shortening, of your chewing muscles and joints. You may also experience headaches.
While anxiety and stress are the most common causes of bruxism, they aren’t the only culprits: bruxism is what we call a condition with multiple etiologies.
How is bruxism treated?
Since bruxism is a multifactorial condition in which stress plays a key role, there are no miracle cures. However, non-invasive, reversible treatments are always the right place to start.
That’s why we recommend a Michigan splint (occlusal splint) to prevent tooth damage, relax your muscles, and relieve your joints.
A Michigan splint is a custom acrylic mouth guard, made using an impression of your teeth. It covers the chewing surfaces of either your top or bottom teeth (usually the top teeth) and leaves your palate free. It only touches your teeth.
You can wear it during the day or at night. In addition to protecting your teeth, it gives your jaw muscles a chance to relearn how to relax.
That means it offers both protection and rehabilitation.
How many appointments does it take to make a mouth guard for bruxism?
It takes 3 appointments to make a mouth guard.
- During the first appointment, we will examine your mouth and take digital impressions to make your Michigan splint.
- A technician will draw the shape of the splint on the 3D model, machine it, and manually finish it.
- At the second appointment, we will fit the splint in your mouth and make any adjustments. You may need regular follow-up appointments and adjustments over the medium and long term since wear on the splint is inevitable.
On average, this type of guard lasts 5 to 9 years.