Most people clench or grind their teeth to some degree, so bite appliances are often needed to protect teeth and gums from long-term damage. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a harmful habit.
Research shows that people clench and grind their teeth equally during the day and night. However, nighttime grinding happens more often because the body’s sensors that detect movement are less active while we sleep.
Dr. Mark Sowell and Dr. Sara Chen are TMJ specialists in Plano, Texas. Visit Aesthetic Dentistry Centre if you have jaw pain and need treatment.
Clenching and grinding, along with gum disease, are the biggest threats to keeping teeth healthy for life. Grinding can wear down the front teeth, making them shorter and flatter, which can make you look older. It also causes back molars to split or break, especially during stressful times, as you age, or if you have sleep apnea or snoring problems.
TMJ Treatment in Plano, Texas
At Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, our dentists in Plano can create a custom-fit appliance made of thermoplastic material to protect your teeth. When worn at night, this appliance reduces muscle activity from grinding by 40%, which protects your teeth and eases stress on your jaw muscles and joints, helping with TMJ pain.
Bruxism starts with a problem in the jaw muscles, not a bite issue. The appliance interrupts the muscle tug-of-war that causes clenching, reducing its intensity by about a third. It helps the muscles relax in a stable position, which often eliminates headaches and TMJ pain within a few days.
We also offer a mini-deprogrammer, a small device that decreases clenching even more than a full-mouth appliance and is more comfortable for patients.
Causes & Symptoms of Teeth Grinding
Clenching or grinding your teeth often comes from poor stress management. Many people who grind their teeth are dealing with stress, anger, frustration, or aggression. Teeth grinding can wear down the bite, misalign the teeth, and lead to serious dental problems. We check each patient for signs like:
- Unexplained tooth or gum sensitivity
- Jaw or TMJ pain
- Popping or clicking of the jaw
- Tight muscles
- Headaches
- Worn-down or flat teeth
- Exposed and sensitive dentin (tooth interior)
- Tongue indentations
There is no one cause for teeth grinding, but stress is common. Sleep issues like sleep apnea and GERD can also lead to clenching and grinding.
In severe cases, frequent grinding can move the entire jaw out of balance. If this happens, Dr. Sowell, Dr. Chen, and their team can treat it with a small acrylic mouthpiece called the NTI-tss device. This device is one of the many treatments we offer to help with TMJ pain, jaw popping, and clenching.
Mini-deprogrammer
5×5 overlay coverage
- Bite plate with central and laterals contacting only
- Posterior teeth just out of contact, or
- Open enough for no interferences during the function
TMJ Disorder FAQs
Can a TMJ disorder be cured?
Yes, TMJ pain can be treated with orthodontics, oral appliances, and therapies to fix the cause.
Can TMJ cause neck pain?
Yes, TMJ can lead to neck pain, earaches, and other issues not directly connected to the jaw. If you have these symptoms, schedule a visit to check if it’s TMJ.
Which doctor treats TMJ?
There is no specific specialty for TMJ, but dentists are trained to handle problems with facial muscles, the jaw, and teeth.
Will TMJ pain go away on its own?
It might if it’s a minor issue, but if you’ve had TMJ pain for a while, it won’t go away without treatment.
Is surgery necessary for TMJ pain?
In severe cases, surgery may be needed if orthodontics and oral appliances can’t fix the problem. Don’t assume you need surgery before seeing our dentist for a consultation.