Bruxism Treatment Washington DC & Alexandria VA
Bruxism Treatment Washington DC & Alexandria VA
Bruxism is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by clenching and/or grinding of teeth, especially while sleeping. If left untreated, Bruxism can lead to a variety of issues, including jaw pain, headaches, and even jawbone deterioration. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available, including splints and mouth guards, dental correction, biofeedback, anxiety or stress management, and if necessary, medication.
Bruxism typically presents through the following symptoms:
- Sore teeth and jaw when waking and/or throughout the day
- Frequent headaches
- Stress
- Earaches
- Depression, stress, and/or anxiety
- Eating disorder
Because there are a variety of reasons why tooth wear may occur, bruxism is frequently misdiagnosed. At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty trained periodontists Dr. Justin Zalewsky and Dr. Antara Daru have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about bruxism treatment, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington D.C. office at (202) 296- 3360.
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Dr. Alkakhan
Dr. Waleed completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, gaining advanced clinical training in surgical treatments. His thirst for expertise led him to specialize in Periodontics and Implant Surgery at the prestigious Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). At MUSC, he served as Chief Resident of Periodontics and conducted groundbreaking research on macrophage plasticity during periodontal inflammation, earning a second Master's of Science degree.
Dr. Daru
In 2005, Dr. Daru embarked on her educational odyssey, crossing continents to pursue her passion for dentistry. She obtained her Master of Science in Oral Biology and a certificate in Periodontics from the prestigious New York University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in 2010. During her academic years, she delved into intensive research, particularly focusing on innovative bone regeneration techniques, showcasing her dedication to advancing the field.
Dr. Fields
Dr. Fields, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, embarked on his dental journey at Georgetown College, where he earned a B.S. degree in biology/chemistry. He then pursued his passion for dentistry, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) from the University of Louisville in 1989. Additionally, he earned the prestigious Ma.C.S.D. degree, specializing in IV conscious sedation, showcasing his commitment to advancing his skills and knowledge for the benefit of his patients.
Dr. Gupta
Driven by a dedication to excellence, Dr. Gupta embarked on a transformative periodontal residency at the University of Detroit Mercy. Here, she earned her Master of Science and a certificate in Periodontics while simultaneously serving as an adjunct faculty for the School of Dentistry for three years. Her commitment to advancing dental knowledge took her to an international stage, where she presented groundbreaking research on clinical treatment for gum recession and root coverage at a prestigious conference in London.
Dr. Zalewsky
Following his military service, Dr. Zalewsky pursued advanced training at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. There, he earned a Certificate in Periodontics and Oral Implantology, along with a Master of Science in Oral Biology. This comprehensive training equipped him to handle intricate periodontal conditions and complex oral implant procedures with precision and skill.
Diagnosing Bruxism
In order to determine if you have bruxism, you will need to schedule an initial examination, during which your periodontist will inspect for indications of enamel loss and the overall severity of your case. Patients with more severe cases may need to have a dental crown placed, while patients with less severe case may simply need to start wearing a nightguard.
If you are diagnosed with bruxism, it is important to schedule treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, Bruxism can cause the following issues to develop:
- Occlusal trauma: Bruxism will result in continued friction and pressure being placed on the surfaces of your tooth, which will eventually weaken the chewing surface. Once this surface has become worn down, it is more prone to cracking.
- Facial pain: Patients with untreated bruxism frequently complain about pain around their jaw, as well as facial swelling and frequent headaches.
- Gum recession: Untreated bruxism is one of the primary reasons patients develop periodontal disease that leads to gum recession, and if left untreated long enough, tooth loss. Due to the excessive grinding of the teeth, damage occurs to the soft tissue, which causes the teeth to become loose. Once teeth become loosened, the pockets between the gums become deeper, which allows for additional bacteria to become trapped. When this happens, the structure of the tooth and the jawbone can begin to decay.
- TMJ: Everyone has two temporomandibular joints (TMJ), one on the left and one on the right. If left untreated, Bruxism can eventually damage one or both these joints, which can result in a patient developing TMJ. Symptoms typically manifest as rustling, clicking, or popping in the jaw joint, along with muscle or jaw joint pain. Other symptoms include tinnitus, headaches, difficulty opening their jaw or a jaw that locks in place, and even numbness in the fingertips and face.
Treating Bruxism
There are range of treatment options available for treating Bruxism. To determine which treatment option is right for you, it will be necessary to determine the root cause of your issue. For example, If the root cause appears to be related to stress, your periodontist will encourage you to make certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding practicing yoga, meditating, and other self-care practices.
If these treatment plans do not result in improved symptoms, the following treatment options are also available.
- Mouthguards: One of the most effective methods for treating TMJ is a custom fit mouthguard that can be worn at night. These mouthguards will effectively reduce the amount of abrasive action that occurs to the surfaces of your teeth while you sleep. Wearing mouthguards over a long period of time will help stabilize your occlusion and prevent TMJ or additional damage to your teeth from occurring.
- Botox® : Botox has become an increasingly popular option for treating Bruxism. By injecting Botox into targeted areas, the muscles will become weakened enough that grinding will not occur as frequently, but does not weaken them to the point where daily activities such as speaking or chewing will be negatively impacted.
- NTI-tss device: A device that covers your front teeth, NTI-tss limits the contraction of the temporalis muscle, which in turn prevents your rear molars from grinding.
Bruxism Treatment Cost
The cost of treating bruxism will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, what type of treatment plan you pursue, and the severity of your case. At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type
of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.
For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance, or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office, you can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.
Providing you with Optimal Care
At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are proud to provide optimal care for patients in the Washington D.C. and Alexandria, VA area, and are dedicated to collaborating with your dentist to provide you with the customized treatment you deserve. In addition to having state-of-the-art equipment, we are also committed to creating a peaceful and relaxing environment, with amenities such as personal movie screens, neck pillows, and soft blankets available regardless of what procedure you are having performed.
To schedule your appointment for bruxism treatment, contact us today. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a bright and healthy smile!