top of page

Bruxism & occlusal plate

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the term used when someone clenches their jaw or grinds their teeth excessively. This can lead to wear on the teeth, leaving them shorter, vulnerable to cavities and sensitive. Overuse of the jaw when grinding can also negatively affect the joint (TMJ). Bruxism often becomes worse overnight as we are not able to regulate how much force is being used while sleeping.

Signs that you are choking your teeth

Popping or clicking of the jaw when eating, talking, or overall opening of the mouth

​Frequent headaches

Ringing in the ears or earaches

Sore jaw muscles

Teeth that appear shorter or worn along the edges

Gingival recession

If a partner has mentioned hearing you grind at night.

Risks of not using a night guard:

There are many long-term effects of not wearing a night guard leading to costly

reparations and even surgery to correct the jaw joint.

The teeth will become shorter, and possibly fractured. Bruxism can also cause bone

loss around the teeth due to the force used when grinding or clenching. When there is bone loss present, the gums recede with it leaving the roots of the teeth exposed. There is an increased risk of cavities since the enamel and the gums have been lost.

Excess wear on the jaw can cause loss of bone and cartilage leading to pain,

reduced mobility, and increased chance of jaw dislocation.

Night guard

Night Guards

Night guards are durable plastic appliances used to protect the teeth and jaw

overnight against bruxism. They are custom made by a dental laboratory or can be purchased over-the-counter.

However, there are many differences between professionally

made and store-bought night guards:

post-it.png

Professional night guards:

post-it.png

Store-bought night guards:

  • Custom made to fit your individual set of teeth.

  • Fully supports the jaw joint (TMJ) to reduce wear on the bone and cartilage.

  • Extremely durable.

  • How the teeth fit together (occlusion) is taken into account to support the jaw properly.

  • More comfortable, less bulky.

  • Choice in colours.

  • Can be adjusted by a dental professional.

  • Does not harbour oral bacteria.

  • Bigger and bulkier.

  • Less comfortable.

  • Can cause jaw issues long-term such as wear and tear of the bone and cartilage.

  • Could negatively impact how the jaw closes.

  • Are not made to match your individual teeth and mouth.

  • No consideration for how the teeth fit together when closing.

  • More likely to hold onto oral bacteria.

The process of making an occlusal plate

steps of ng.png

1. A dental examination is performed to diagnose bruxism.

2. 3D scanner technology is used to create a digital mold of the teeth with extreme precision.

3. The scan is sent to our lab with your choice of colors.

4. Lab technicians will then create the device using 3D printing technology.

5. When we receive the device, a fitting appointment is given (usually three weeks later).

6. The device is delivered and adjusted on site with your feedback to ensure maximum protection and comfort.

instructions .png

Night guard instructions:

  1. Floss and brush the teeth for a full 2 minutes before wearing the appliance.

  2. Wear the appliance all night, every night.

  3. In the morning, rinse with cool or room-temperature water and brush the appliance with a soft toothbrush.

  4. Once per week, allow the appliance to soak in a denture or retainer solution to help clean and disinfect.

Why choose us?

We are a team of professionals dedicated to providing you with personalised and

comprehensive preventative care. Night guard fabrication is another one of the services that we provide to increase quality of life, reduce pain, and prevent future complications for our patients. Even after the initial delivery of your bruxism appliance, if you encounter any issues or discomfort, we will be happy to adjust your night guard free of charge. We can’t wait to see your happy and healthier smile with your custom night guard!

bottom of page