Bruxism
Find out more about bruxism
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a disorder associated with the abnormal position of the teeth in relation to the temporomandibular joints, combined with excessive tension of the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Shortened teeth, recurring headaches, crackling noises, and a feeling of jaw popping during everyday activities are just a few symptoms that can be diagnosed as bruxism, a condition that affects more than half of our population.
Many years of trainings and practice have given us an in-depth understanding of the problem and a solution in the form of a bio-aesthetic philosophy.
Find out more about bruxism
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a disorder associated with the abnormal position of the teeth in relation to the temporomandibular joints, combined with excessive tension of the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Shortened teeth, recurring headaches, crackling noises, and a feeling of jaw popping during everyday activities are just a few symptoms that can be diagnosed as bruxism, a condition that affects more than half of our population.
Many years of trainings and practice have given us an in-depth understanding of the problem and a solution in the form of a bio-aesthetic philosophy.
Is It Worthy to Treat It?
We often don’t realize that some types of discomfort are due to dysfunction of the teeth and temporomandibular joints, which can cause neck and back pain, sleep disturbances, general fatigue and headaches. During treatment, you may find that your symptoms decrease or disappear completely.
Origins of Bruxism
The temporomandibular joints connect the mandible to the skull. The condyle, or head of the jaw, fits into a depression in the temporal bone that is called the articular fossa. Between these two structures is the articular disc, which is a cartilaginous element designed to serve as a shock absorber for the two bones.
When joints are out of place, the patient experiences pain, and various pathologies begin to develop, including occlusion disorders. Temporomandibular joint mechanics dysfunction affects the posture of the entire body and the function of other joints, soft tissues and muscles.
The Most Common Signs of Problems Related to Bruxism:
A study of elderly adults who still have their own, intact, healthy teeth, revealed that proper temporomandibular joints alignment was a factor that determines maintaining oral health. Our brain is programmed to give our teeth even pressure and contact. When the teeth don’t have the proper shape and are misaligned, the brain compensates the lack of balance by moving the jaw, causing destabilization in the temporomandibular joints. Over time, this leads to all or some of the following symptoms:
Tooth wear
Overloading leading to increased tooth mobility
Sore facial muscles
Head and neck pain
Pain and crackling in the joints
Back pain
Pain while chewing food
Limited mouth opening
Complete loss of ability to open mouth
Tinnitus
Dizziness
Problems with sleep
Broken „fillings” and crowns, damaged dental implants
Accurate diagnostics using modern technology is the basis to begin the process of bruxism therapy
Occlusive Disease Diagnostics
Muscles examination and DC/TMD test
(A test focused on headache and temporomandibular joints pain)
Computed tomography of the joints
Computed tomography of the airways
Magnetic resonance imaging
Analysis of the patient’s maxillary and mandibular models in the articulator
Polysomnography – evaluation of sleep apnea
Assessment of the patient’s posture
Based on the test results, we make a diagnosis, describing the type of disorder, and then implement an appropriate therapeutic process, which we supplement with physical therapy. As part of the testing, we also diagnose predisposition to sleep apnea.
Bio-aesthetic dentistry
Bio-aesthetic dentistry can help patients with temporomandibular joint disorders, improper bite and tooth erosion to address these issues, providing a balanced bite and a more attractive smile, giving relief from ailment and comfort in life.
Bruxism treatment options
Based on the examination, diagnosis of occlusal disease and the treatment plan prepared, we implement splint therapy to stabilize the temporomandibular joints movements and provide neuromuscular relaxation in order to prepare the patient for the final treatment.
The splint therapy is based on the MAGO splints (Maxillary Anterior Guided Orthotic).
It is an orthosis designed to teach the joints their correct, natural position and to influence the harmonious and proper work of the muscles.
When the splint is worn, the bite is balanced by eliminating occlusal trauma, i.e. improper tooth contacts. This results in reduced tension in the temporomandibular joints and the muscles surrounding them.
This therapy also relaxes tension in the muscles of the temporal and masseter regions.
We aim to neutralize and balance the bite, that is related to learning how to bite naturally.
Our Experience in Splint Therapy
With our experience and knowledge gained through years of practice, we are confident that splint therapy is highly effective and essential in the process of effective treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.
Observations of patients after therapy aimed at the relaxation of chewing and facial muscles confirm that they experience a significant reduction in discomfort and improvement in daily functioning.
The splint not only affects the facial muscles, but also indirectly modifies the tension of the tissues surrounding the airway, which is why we often see improved breathing after therapy.
Splint Therapy
The M.A.G.O. splint is used by the patient 24 hours a day from 6 weeks to six months, and sometimes longer if the clinical case requires that.
The duration of therapy depends on the dysfunction and the medical evaluation. The period of stabilization is followed by remission and resolution of symptoms. Joint stabilization occurs and at this point we can begin orthodontic or prosthetic treatment.
Because bite conditions are constantly changing over the period of MAGO splint therapy, treatment with MAGO splints is subject to strict weekly adjustments by the clinician to ensure that the splint remains comfortable throughout its lifetime.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Treatment
The head is connected to the spine by two very important vertebrae, C1 and C2. Their misalignment can severely affect the temporomandibular joints causing changes in the position of the jaw and the relationship of the teeth, which can result in muscle tension in the face, neck, back, headaches and other symptoms of bruxism. Additionally, abnormalities in the alignment of the hips and the entire spine often aggravate these disorders.
Therefore, to make our patients feel completely safe, we cooperate with doctors, orthopedists and physical therapists during the treatment.
At Niewada Clinic, we treat masticatory dysfunctions as a team, collaborating with a high-end orthopedic and rehabilitation center.
What’s So Special About Niewada Clinic In Treating Bruxism?
The therapies we implement are always aimed at treating the cause, not just the symptoms. In our clinic we eliminate the factors that cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction, so we are sure that the final effect of the therapy will be both successful and long-lasting.
Since malocclusion, temporomandibular joint problems and headaches can be related to the spine, we co-operate with prominent specialists in spinal rehabilitation and physical therapy to achieve better results
Temporomandibular joints and muscles are an integral part of the bite apparatus. Every procedure we do, in order to be sustainable and serve its purpose, must be built into how the entire masticatory system functions.
That’s why each of our patients undergoes a thorough muscle and joint exam in addition to the standard diagnostics procedures. Noteworthy, as part of the examination, we assess the risk of a very serious disorder known as sleep apnea.
Our knowledge and experience allows us to take a broader view of the patient. This is very important because bruxism affects the entire body, from migraine headaches, postural defects and back problems to periodontitis.
Dentistry has completely changed its face over the past several years. A single dentist today cannot accumulate all the knowledge to ensure fully predictable outcomes over the long term. It takes years of practice and continually expanding your skills.
In our pursuit of perfection, we draw on the expertise from extraordinary clinicians from around the world, and our experience and innate drive for perfection allows us to practice holistic dentistry that we are proud of and satisfied with.
We treat the cause, not the effects. This is a fundamental starting point in our approach to the patient and dentistry. It takes a collaborative team of professionals to do that these days. Dr. Niewada has created such a team.
The in-depth knowledge of the field and extensive experience of each of our doctors, added together at each stage of treatment, are a guarantee of beautiful and lasting results.
Our clinical knowledge and experience allows us to predict the outcome at the planning stage and to select treatment methods and procedures individually. When planning the course of treatment, we think about tooth morphology in prosthetic restorations from the very beginning. And it’s all to get a smile that is memorable forever.
Bruxism affects the entire body. Therefore, in order to treat the cause, we use comprehensive treatment plans that combine the different expertise of our doctors. Our aim is to make sure that the patient does not have to worry about losing their teeth at a young age. Unfortunately, untreated bruxism often leads to the preterm tooth loss. That’s why we always treat the cause of the disease.
Bruxism And Sleep Apnea
Did You Know That Bruxism May Be Associated With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. While it may seem harmless, sleep apnea disrupts sleep and deprives the brain and other organs of oxygen, which can cause serious health problems.
Understanding the cause of sleep apnea is an integral part of treatment and prevention. The abnormal relationship of the jaws to the temporomandibular joints, as well as the masticatory and facial muscles can affect the airway to some degree and impair airflow, exacerbating the problem of sleep apnea.
A recent study found a link between snoring and apnea during sleep and a number of serious medical conditions. Untreated snoring and sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and depression.
Did You Know That...?
More than 85% of people with apnea are undiagnosed.
In addition to adults, the disorder also occurs in children, manifesting as bedwetting, behavior attributed to ADHD, or daytime sleepiness, for example.
The risk of causing a car accident is seven times higher for those suffering from sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea occurs in more than half of people with type 2 diabetes.
More than 35% of people who have sleep apnea also suffer from high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease.
More than 80% of people with high blood pressure persisting despite taking at least three medications also suffer from sleep apnea.
More than 70% of people who have had a stroke suffer from sleep apnea.
The test that confirms the presence of obstructive sleep apnea is polysomnography, which involves recording the patient’s sleep.
FAQ
What does an NTI splint look like and how to use it?
It is a small piece of plastic that is placed in the area of upper front teeth and worn overnight.
The NTI splint disrupts the tension reflex and allows the muscles to relax. The patients are unable to clench or grind their teeth while using the splint. It is an emergency pain relief, intended to alleviate symptoms, and acts as a typical deprogrammer, much like a Kois deprogrammer.
For a comprehensive treatment, a more thorough diagnosis is needed, for example utilizing a MAGO splint.
How Long Does It Take to Treat Bruxism?
The therapy we implement at Niewada Clinic lasts from a few weeks to several months. It is a process during which the body must have time to rebuild and strengthen the muscles of mastication, align the temporomandibular joints and improve posture. It makes the effects of bruxism treatment long-lasting.
