What Is Bruxism?

The chewing system is composed of bones, temporomandibular joint (jaw joint), ligaments, masticatory muscles, teeth, and surrounding supporting tissues. The functional use of this system includes chewing, swallowing, and speaking. However, some individuals perform parafunctional activities such as lip biting, lip and finger sucking, pencil and nail-biting, abnormal positioning of the jaw, and BRUXISM (teeth grinding and clenching during the day and during sleep), which have some destructive effects on the masticatory system. The most devastating effect of these activities is bruxism. According to studies, Psychosocial factors such as stress, biological factors, genetic and external (exogenous) factors such as smoking can cause bruxism.

Symptoms of Bruxism:

• Tooth erosion
• Broken teeth, implants, or restorations (removable or fixed restorations, bridges, etc)
• Teeth or Implant loss
• Pain in teeth and chewing muscles
• Difficulty in opening mouth
• Pain or tenderness in the temporomandibular joint
• Periodontal tissue loss and jaw bone resorption
• Chewing muscle hypertrophy (increase in muscle volüme)
• Dislocation of temporomandibular joint disc

The problems caused by bruxism result from the application of more force than the physiological structures can take. In healthy individuals, the teeth are only in contact during swallowing, chewing, and pronouncing certain letters. In bruxism, the patient tightens his teeth in the intercuspation (the teeth are closed), and/or contacts occur during the eccentric (forward-backward and right-left) movements of the jaw.

The incidence of bruxism in society varies between 8-31.4%.

During the clinical evaluation, hyperkeratosis areas in the oral mucosa of the cheeks, lace-like appearance indicates pressure caused by the teeth in the tongue and lips, tooth wear, and tooth and implant fractures are examined. Chewing muscles are also usually examined. In some cases, complementary methods may be needed for diagnosis.

The most commonly used treatment modality in the treatment of bruxism in the world is the use of an OCCLUSAL SPLINT. This treatment is a reversible and noninvasive treatment option that temporarily changes the functional relationships in the masticatory system.

Benefits of using Occlusal Splint

• Reduces bruxism and occlusal parafunction to ensure the distribution of excessive forces
• Prevents tooth erosion
• Treats muscular pain
• Changes occulusal forces
• Treats pain caused by TMD
• Provides neuromuscular coordination
• Increases the occlusal vertical size
• Improves TMJ function