TEETH FRACTURING DUE TO STRESS AND CLENCHING

When we grind our teeth, they can sustain damage in the form of fractures and wear. This is often caused due to an oral condition called bruxism - the subconscious clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth. When the teeth sustain severe wear, they could eventually crack or fracture. Such a condition can be quite painful and, in some severe cases, could even lead to a root canal infection as well.

WHAT IS BRUXISM?

Bruxism is a condition often influenced by sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the patient experiences shortness of breath, frequent pauses in breathing, and a partial or complete blockage of the airway while asleep. Apart from severe wear of the teeth, bruxism can result in stressed-out TMJ, swelling of the facial joints, limited movement of the jaw, pain, and difficulty while biting and chewing food, etc. The most worrying factor about bruxism is that patients grind, gnash, or clench teeth subconsciously without their knowledge. Immediate treatment is crucial in such cases, in the form of oral appliances or restoration.

HOW CAN CRACKED TEETH BE RESTORED?

The best means of restoring cracked and worn out teeth is by using dental crowns. We can also fix them using veneers and composite bonding.

Crowns: Dental crowns are cap-like restorations used to cover an entire tooth. Though they look exactly like a natural tooth on the outside, they are hollow on the inside to accommodate the tooth they cover. Their color and contour can be customized as required to match the natural teeth’ appearance.

Veneers: Veneers are wafer-thin restorations used primarily to make cosmetic changes. They are bonded to the front surface of the teeth using dental adhesives and can be used to cover cracks, restore worn out teeth, and make other aesthetic changes.

Composite bonding: It is the process of applying multiple layers of composite resin on the teeth and hardening them using a curing light. This helps to restore the contour of the teeth and cover cracks as well.

It is best to get bruxism treated during the early stages itself. When you get diagnosed by the dentist, they may suggest a night-time bruxism guard for protecting the teeth and TMJ. Failing to do so may result in permanent damage to the teeth, which would cost a lot more to get restored.

Call us at (303) 973-5280 or schedule an online consultation with our dentists in Littleton, CO. We will be more than happy to assist you further!