Alternatives to a Night Guard?
Night guards are commonly used to relieve the symptoms and side effects of the chronic jaw-clenching and grinding of the teeth, known as bruxism. When bruxism isn’t addressed, it often results in jaw pain, jaw problems, gingival swelling, and chipped or worn-down teeth. While they are a popular treatment option, night guards aren’t the only solution to the many issues that bruxism can cause. For patients who find night guards uncomfortable or who don’t feel they’re as effective as they should be, alternative options exist. Three of the more widely used alternatives designed to address the problems of bruxism are occlusal splints, botox treatments, and biofeedback. If you’re unhappy with your night guard, or if you’re curious about the variety of ways dentists can provide relief from the discomfort and damage caused by bruxism, talk to your dentist about your treatment options; there’s a good chance that one or more of these options will work for you.
Occlusal splints closely resemble night guards, though they differ in function. Night guards are designed to prevent the damage caused by grinding the teeth, but they don’t help prevent the act of grinding itself. Occlusal splints, on the other hand, prevent bruxism from occurring at all. An occlusal splint is designed to shift the jaw muscles, moving them into a more functional position that prevents bruxism from occurring in the first place. Like night guards, occlusal splints are custom-crafted with a mold of the patient’s mouth, though unlike night guards, occlusal splints are designed to fit over either the top teeth or the bottom teeth – not both rows of teeth. If you grind your teeth because of bite misalignment, an occlusal splint will help train the proper placement of the jaw with the end goal of reducing bruxism and restoring the bite. Occlusal splints can be cared for the same way night guards are cared for, by brushing with a toothbrush and soaking to remove bacteria and built-up germs.
Bruxism can also occur because of stress or tension unrelated to the position of the teeth. Regardless of the cause, however, the mechanics of bruxism can still wreak havoc on the teeth. Many dentists rely on injections with botulinum toxin, or Botox, to relieve tense jaw muscles and lessen the likelihood of bruxism. The success of Botox treatments has been established in the cosmetic industry, and its uses now extend well beyond cosmetic treatments to address a variety of muscle problems. Injecting Botox directly into the muscle in the jaw can help prevent bruxism while helping the jaw relax. Because Botox wears off over time, your dentist may recommend repeated treatments at first. Over time, however, the goal is for the body to naturally learn to relax the jaw and stop clenching on its own, gradually eliminating the need for future Botox injections.
A third treatment option that many dentists have found successful is biofeedback. In a biofeedback treatment, small electrodes attached to an area behind the ear or on the back of the head are triggered by tension in the jawbones. When these electrodes sense this tension, they alert the body, either with sound or with a vibration. Over time, this conditions the body to naturally stop the jaw from clenching, even when the biofeedback machine isn’t attached. The duration of treatment with biofeedback varies depending on several factors, and treatment may be combined with occlusal splints or night guards, which protect the teeth and jaw while working toward the longer-term goal of completely eliminating bruxism.