Patients who suffer with TMJ may notice that during stressful situations, they notice an increase in their symptoms: headaches, jaw pain or difficulty chewing. In may cases, these symptoms are the result of teeth grinding or teeth clenching. Although this typically occurs at night during sleep, patients may grind their teeth and clench their jaw during the day as a response to added stress- something that many people feel during the busy holiday season!
At Family and Spa Dentistry in Pennington, Dr. Donna Vagnozzi-Bucci and her staff see many dental patients who suffer with TMJ and they offer a variety of treatment options to both treat the imbalance in the bite that is the underlying cause of TMJ and alleviate the symptoms patients experience.
Teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism, can lead to additional dental health problems if left untreated: gum disease, broken teeth and damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In many cases, Dr. Vagnozzi-Bucci can effectively treat teeth grinding with a customized mouth guard that is to be worn at night to prevent teeth grinding.
For patients who have sustained damage to the teeth from TMJ, or who have an imbalance in their occlusal system that is causing the teeth grinding, Dr. Vagnozzi-Bucci may recommend a restorative dental procedure to restore balance and repair teeth. The restorative treatment, which may include tooth bonding or dental crowns, will reshape the teeth and realign a patient’s bite. Dr. Vagnozzi-Bucci may also suggest Invisalign treatment to realign the teeth: this clear retainer system can provide patients with straight teeth in about a year.
Don’t let the stress of the holiday season adversely affect your dental health! If you are experiencing the symptoms of TMJ or think you may be grinding or clenching your teeth, schedule an appointment at Family and Spa Dentistry.
