What is an Occlusal Guard / Bruxism?
What is an Occlusal Guard?
It is an acrylic device, completely made to measure for the patient. It has various forms and functions. It is normally used at night so that involuntary dental movements do not hurt the teeth and the same splint or discharge guard receives this abrasion.
How do I know if I need an occlusal guard?
There are several signs and symptoms, but among the most common are:
- Nighttime or daytime dental grinding and clenching.
- Abfractions (V-shaped fractures) in the necks of the teeth. They are normally in molars and premolars.
- Wear of the dental cusps
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain in the jaw when chewing and especially at dawn.
Are there any contraindications to the use of night watch?
A contraindication to the use of night guard is when the patient is in the growth phase and the use of a guard would prevent normal growth of the maxilla. The use of a guard is also avoided when the patient is hypersensitive to acrylic.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is an involuntary movement of the jaw in which the person clenches or grinds their teeth regularly for excessive time, mainly at night, causing their teeth to wear down. The anatomical elements involved are the chewing muscles, ligaments, bones and teeth. This condition usually affects a large part of the population and is directly related to the level of stress. To treat Bruxism, the use of a physiological occlusal guard is suggested. If this condition is not treated in time, the patient can wear down his teeth to critical levels, causing a functional and aesthetic deficiency.
Where can I see examples and cases?
Next, you will see a gallery with several cases of bruxism treated with an occlusal guard and later rehabilitated with restorations. All this done at Dental Integral Baena. For more information contact us here.
(Click on the image to enlarge it)