Whether it’s politics, parenting, or work that has you unconsciously grinding your teeth day and night, stopping this involuntary movement is the first battle. TMJ treatment is easily accomplished with a customized oral appliance or bite guard. But then you may discover that, even though your grinding has ceased, your teeth have been left in poor shape because of the habit. Cosmetic dentistry can help.
Side Effects of Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can lead to the following problems:
- Jaw pain
- Tight jaw muscles
- Flat teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Broken teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Facial pain
- Worn tooth enamel
Once these problems begin, it can be difficult to stop or reverse them without dental intervention. And while some of them are merely uncomfortable, others are unpleasant to look at and painful to experience. Cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and other treatments may be necessary to revitalize your smile and repair the damage that’s been done by teeth grinding.
Smile Makeovers After Teeth Grinding
After the source of your teeth grinding has been addressed and treated, your cosmetic dentist will focus on correcting the damage teeth grinding created. Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments for teeth grinding patients include:
- Dental crowns: The extreme forces of grinding and clenching teeth can lead to broken, chipped, or cracked teeth. But these solutions are not difficult to repair with porcelain tooth crowns, which can be used to make teeth uniform and even. Dental crowns, in fact, are one of the most durable and long-lasting cosmetic dentistry solutions.
- Porcelain veneers: The go-to cosmetic dentistry solution for repairing teeth that have been worn down from tooth grinding, porcelain veneers recreate the natural look of teeth. Teeth that have been subject to grinding or clenching are usually similar in length and worn straight across. Porcelain veneers can correct these issues, making teeth the proper length, size, and color that will make your smile look amazing.
- Cosmetic bonding: You don’t want teeth that have already been damaged to compromise the integrity of neighboring teeth. A simple dental tooth bonding repair will fix jagged or chipped teeth due to grinding so that your smile look like new with the least amount of invasiveness possible.
Know that it is absolutely necessary to have the teeth grinding dealt with before proceeding with any cosmetic dentistry repairs. Porcelain and bonding are strong and durable, but they are not infallible, and serious pressure on the repairs could ruin them.
What Will Happen If You Avoid Teeth Grinding Treatment?
Eventually, if you leave your teeth grinding problem unchecked, this habit will just continue to damage your teeth. The wear and tear can move quickly once your tooth’s enamel has been completely stripped and the dentin layer of the tooth becomes exposed. Plus, opening that up to air is just downright painful.
Your oral health is important – you want to look good because your smile is stunning, but you also want to have a healthy mouth and gums. See your Manhattan dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and exam and to make a consultation appointment about a jaw that gets stuck, cracks, is painful, or otherwise. Contact Manhattan dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei – make an appointment today.
