Bruxism
Teeth grinding (Bruxism) is often related to stress or anxiety, and if untreated, it can lead to tooth damage, fractures, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and severe headaches. There are things you can do to help and treatments available.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is often an involuntary problem. It afflicts many people when they sleep and is often exacerbated by stress. When teeth grinding occurs just at night, many people only realise they have the condition when they wake up and feel that their jaw is sore or notice teeth damage.
Neuromodulators have been shown to alleviate bruxism. The treatment works by relaxing the jaw muscle sufficiently to reduce grinding symptoms while maintaining normal jaw and teeth action.
Common symptoms include:
Headache
Earache
Facial pain
Chipped teeth
Chewed tissue
Gum pain
Toothache
Masseter hypertrophy (enlarged jaw muscle)
Muscle ache
The procedure:
This procedure is a commonly used medical treatment for bruxism which can be seen to lessen the effects of jaw clenching in a relatively short time. The treatment takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes, with results becoming apparent within five to ten days. The results will last for three to six months and, with repeated treatments, patients may find that their bruxism stops altogether.
How neuromodulators for Bruxism work
The neuromodulator is injected directly into the muscle to stop nerve impulses from reaching the muscle. By inhibiting the muscle movement, patients will experience relief from jaw aches, soreness, pains and headaches. It’s important to understand that muscle movement is reduced just enough create a reduction of bruxism symptoms such as the grinding and clenching. However, the main function of the masseter muscle remains unaffected.
Pain: Mild - moderate
Social Downtime: 24-72 hours, potential for bruising
Results: Are seen within 3 weeks
Recommended course: 2-3 treatments 3 months apart
Treats: Jaw and neck pain
Cost: From £350