It ’ s Your Smile
Night guards : Not just a piece of plastic !!
By
Dr . Jernell Escobar
Dr . Escobar has been practicing dentistry in the Bay Area since 2006 . She took over Dr . Palmerlee ’ s practice when he retired in 2012 . She is passionate about providing exceptional oral health care in a patient centered environment . Dr . Escobar participates in continuing education seminars with other leading clinicians in exploring new and innovative methods and materials for restoring smiles .
Part of each new patient exam is a comprehensive evaluation of each patient ’ s dental condition . Frequently it is determined that the patient could benefit from a night guard . A night guard is a protective plastic dental appliance that is worn on the upper or lower arch of the patient ’ s mouth . Often , patients do not feel that they need a night guard because it is not clear to them what damage the dentist is seeing or how the night guard could benefit them . We will attempt to explain some of the common reasons for the prescription of a night guard and how the appliance could be a benefit .
Bruxism or grinding of the teeth is the most common reason for the prescription of a night guard . Teeth grinding is primarily a nocturnal activity but it is also something that may happen during the day . Often the points on the teeth have been worn away and a crater develops in its place . Ultimately , the enamel is worn away exposing the softer dentine underneath . This can result in tooth decay as well as temperature and contact sensitivity . In extreme cases , the patient can have a bite that collapses due to the extensive wear to their teeth . The night guard serves to act as a barrier between the teeth to prevent damaging tooth-to- tooth contact .
Another condition is clenching . Often people wake up with a headache or find themselves with tension headaches throughout the day . This can be the result of clenching . Often people have no idea that they are clenching until someone brings it to their attention . In addition , there are physical symptoms as well . Typically this can be observed in welldeveloped jaw muscles , fractures and fracture lines in the teeth and a build up of supporting bone in the jaws . It is also important to note that some of these symptoms can also be observed in “ tooth grinders ” as well . The night guard serves to break the tension that would otherwise be created by clenching the teeth together . Many people report resolution of their headaches and the practitioner observes a decrease in tooth damage as well .
The night guard can also serve as a first line of treatment for people having problems with their Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ . It is important to note that bruxism and clenching can both be major contributors to problems associated with the TMJ . Some people require more sophisticated appliances in order to treat their symptoms and it is up to the practitioner to make this determination .
In conclusion , the recommendation of a night guard is a simple treatment to prevent a series of tooth related problems in the future . It may also provide relief for symptoms you may be experiencing now . If you have been prescribed a night guard and are reluctant to proceed , we encourage you to begin a dialogue with your dentist to help you fully understand why a night guard is being prescribed .
This is the third , in a series of articles , which will attempt to address some of the most common questions that are regularly posed to dental practitioners . We hope that the reader will find this to be useful and perhaps find answers to questions they might have regarding dental procedures . We will preface all of these articles by reminding the reader that no armchair diagnosis or advice is a substitute for a trip to a dental professional . Every person ’ s case is unique and proper diagnosis and treatment planning with a dental professional is essential for optimal case outcome .
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