Dongdae Entrance Station Dental Clinic: When a Bruxism Appliance is Needed (TMJ Pain)

Hello,

I am Kim Tae-young, the head director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic at Dongdae Entrance Station, where I personally explain cases I have treated.

The primary function of teeth in the oral cavity is mastication.

When we eat, teeth play a role in breaking down food into smaller pieces.

The force transmitted to the teeth varies depending on chewing habits or masticatory muscles.

Furthermore, if you unconsciously clench or grind your teeth when concentrating on something,

excessive force is transmitted to the teeth, leading to wear and tear.

To prevent such tooth wear,

it can be prevented to some extent through appropriate treatment, chewing habits, and habit correction.

Are bruxism appliances effective?

While sleeping, the masticatory muscles and teeth should rest,

but for those with bruxism habits, even while asleep,

over-tension of the masticatory muscles and poor dental health are negatively affected.

Since such habits cannot be consciously recognized and corrected,

bruxism appliances are made of thick plastic.

When worn on the teeth, they act as a protective barrier, preventing teeth from directly touching each other,

and help improve sleep quality by distributing the burden transmitted to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) due to bruxism.

Prosthesis fracture and tooth wear due to bruxism

The patient visited us due to fracture of a dental prosthesis and tooth wear.

The patient was using an existing appliance,

but the old appliance was worn out and had holes,

and a previously made prosthesis had fractured, leading them to visit for treatment.

Since the patient had been using a bruxism appliance for a long time,

tooth wear was visible but not severe, however,

the most posterior part of the existing two-unit prosthesis was broken.

The cause of the fracture was partly due to repeated strong occlusal forces,

but it also seemed that the posterior tooth's small size necessitated a thinner crown.

After additional treatment to secure sufficient thickness for the prosthesis,

re-prosthetic treatment was performed to achieve the required thickness.

Bruxism appliances must be firmly made for both upper and lower teeth,

so they are produced from precise impressions.

Can I use over-the-counter products?

While it may be unavoidable for short-term or urgent situations,

we do not recommend purchasing over-the-counter products.

Over-the-counter products are often made of soft material that wears out quickly,

and since the occlusion with the opposing teeth is not accurate, it can lead to malocclusion.

Therefore, we recommend having an appliance custom-made to fit your teeth.

Checkpoints after custom bruxism appliance fabrication

This appliance was fabricated from a precise impression.

Fabricating and inserting a bruxism appliance is not the final step;

there is a last stage remaining in the dental office.

This involves adjusting the bruxism appliance so that both sides have even occlusal contact when worn,

and to prevent occlusal interference by the appliance during grinding.

As shown in the photo, if bruxism occurs for a long period, even plastic wears down, so it is better to make it thick.

This is a photo of the appliance fitted to the patient.

Although both sides' occlusion and occlusal interference areas were adjusted,

over time, the appliance can deform due to bruxism, and the position of the bilateral occlusal points can also change.

Therefore, it is advisable to visit regularly for check-ups of the bruxism appliance.

Using such an appliance does not reduce bruxism itself.

As explained earlier, we recommend using the appliance to alleviate the effects of bruxism on teeth and muscles.

If botox treatment is combined for over-tensioned masticatory muscles,

the stress from bruxism and sleep quality will improve compared to before treatment.

I hope this article was helpful to those who had questions about bruxism.

If you are stressed by bruxism every night,

please visit a nearby dental clinic for an examination and establish an appropriate treatment plan.

Thank you^^

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We believe that proper treatment leads to proper results. My desired dental clinic is one where everyone who visits with worries can leave feeling reassured and confident. — Bareunyoung Dental Clinic

Directions: Dongho-ro 179, JYJ Building, 2nd floor. Right in front of Exit 6 of Yaksu Station, towards Yaksu Market. Use Village Bus No. 5 (Yaksu Station), Village Bus No. 12 (Namsan Town, Yaksu Police Station), or bus stops (Yaksu Heights, Sindang Social Welfare Center, Gaon Library, Kumho Tunnel Entrance) from Yu Yu Pharmaceutical towards Kumho Station.

This post was written directly by Bareunyoung Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information and hospital advertising (in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the effects of a bruxism appliance?

A bruxism appliance protects teeth by preventing them from directly touching each other during sleep. It also helps improve sleep quality by distributing the burden transmitted to the temporomandibular joint due to bruxism.

Can I use over-the-counter bruxism products?

No, the use of over-the-counter products is not recommended. Over-the-counter products are often made of soft material that wears out quickly or may not fit properly, potentially putting more strain on your teeth. It is best to have a custom-made appliance that fits your teeth.

Is management required after custom bruxism appliance fabrication?

Yes, management is required even after custom bruxism appliance fabrication. It is important to adjust the appliance so that both sides have even occlusal contact when worn, and to visit the dental clinic regularly for check-ups as it can deform over time.

Does using a bruxism appliance eliminate the habit of bruxism?

No, a bruxism appliance does not reduce the habit of bruxism itself. The appliance serves to alleviate the effects of bruxism on teeth and muscles, and combining it with botox treatment for over-tensioned masticatory muscles can be even more effective.

Is precise impression-taking important when fabricating a bruxism appliance?

Yes, precise impression-taking is very important because a bruxism appliance must be firmly made for both upper and lower teeth. This allows for the fabrication of an appliance that accurately fits an individual's tooth structure.

Can dental prostheses fracture due to bruxism?

Yes, repeated strong occlusal forces on the teeth due to bruxism can cause existing prostheses to fracture. The risk of fracture is higher, especially for posterior teeth that are small in size, leading to thinner prosthesis fabrication.