Bruxism Treatment

The Smile Design Center of Westchester is the leader treatment center for bruxism, i.e. teeth grinding and/or clenching of the jaws. Bruxism is a worrisome problem because it eventually leads to cracking, chipping or loosening of teeth and eventually, tooth loss. It also damages the jaw joint after some time causing pain.

Some people are aware that they grind their teeth at night and clench the jaws all the time. They just don’t know that these are potential problems. Others are not even aware that they grind their teeth during the night or clench their jaws all the time. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing bruxism:

• Rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles.
• A grinding sound at night, which may be heard by your roommate.
• Tight or painful jaw muscles.
• Popping or clicking of the temporomandibular joint.
• Long-lasting pain in the face.
• Damaged teeth, broken dental fillings and injured gums.
• Occasional swelling on the side of the lower jaw caused by clenching.

Bruxism is damaging. That is why, when you come to the Smile Design Center of Westchester, Dr. Sapozhnik checks for signs of teeth grinding or jaw clenching during the routine examination. These signs include worn and damaged teeth or irritation of the soft tissue of the mouth.

When Dr. Sapozhnik discovers signs of teeth grinding or jaw clenching, he can help you to stop. He analyses your dental health and digitally analyses the biting force of each tooth to determine possible imbalances that need to be addressed. Bruxism can be a symptom of a complex problem such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It can also be caused by stress, anxiety, frustration, anger, malocclusion, medication and other conditions.

Therefore, when Dr. Sapozhnik discovers the problem, he designs a treatment plan that is customized to the problem. The treatment can be in the form of a night guard to prevent teeth from grinding against each other.

Restoration of damaged teeth or surgery to correct the bite or alignment of teeth are also possible options.
Call Dr. Sapozhnik on +1 (914) 734-9557 for an appointment.