Bruxism :

• Worn front teeth - all the same level.
• Vertical stress lines visible in the enamel of teeth
• Problems with the Jaw Joint (Tempero Mandibular Joint or T.M.J.) such as limited opening.
• Facial pain from the T.M.J. or jaw muscles, sometimes misdiagnosed as 'migraine' or 'neuralgia'.
• A history of pieces of enamel fracturing off side teeth.

Front teeth should be slightly different lengths.

Front incisors should be a fraction longer than side incisors and canines should have a pointed tip.

These front teeth are all the same level - a classic sign of bruxism.

Photograph ©
E.Byrne BDS DGDP (UK)

The enamel on the tips of these incisors is worn through.

The inner dentine is now exposed

Dentine is softer than enamel and once it is exposed, the rate of wear will accelerate.

Photograph ©
E.Byrne BDS DGDP (UK)

Abrasion from the lower teeth on the inside edge of these upper incisors has left them worn down like the bevel on a chisel.

The edges are now thin and vulnerable to chipping.

This is mainly a cosmetic problem and worsens with age.

Healthy teeth are perfectly capable of surviving this wear but teeth with fillings can split and fracture under this pressure and where gum disease is present, it will progress more rapidly.

Photograph ©
E.Byrne BDS DGDP (UK)

If you clench or grind your teeth, you can quickly end up with prematurely aged and worn teeth.

Damage to your teeth will occur no matter how well you brush, floss and eat a healthy diet.

In addition to tooth damage, bruxism can also cause painful muscle spasm together with problems with the jaw joint (T.M.J.). Signs of damage to the joint include pain, a clicking joint cartilage and limited opening of the mouth.

Treatment for Bruxism in the first instance is typically a Bite Splint .

This is worn usually, but not exclusively, at night. The dentist will advise on which type is most appropriate for your particular symptoms.

In some acute cases, we have had to refer severe T.M.J. problems to hospital for physiotherapy treatment, to reduce muscle spasm so that the patient could open their mouth again in order to construct a bite splint appliance.

Some chronic long term T.M.J. problems have been shown to respond to treatment with Tricyclic antidepressants. These are believed to help by inducing muscle relaxation. We strongly believe in, and would advise a physiological approach i.e. appliance therapy in the first instance, and believe that pharmacological treatment should be a last resort.