Treatment
Bruxism — the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth — affects up to 30% of adults and is a leading cause of tooth damage, jaw pain, and headaches. Left untreated, it can cause irreversible harm. Our specialists offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment.
Types
Occurs during sleep and is classified as a sleep-related movement disorder. It is often associated with sleep apnoea, stress, and certain medications. Most people are unaware they grind at night.
Occurs during waking hours, usually as a semi-conscious habit triggered by concentration, stress, or anxiety. Clenching (without grinding) is more common than grinding in awake bruxism.
Symptoms
Note: Many people with sleep bruxism are completely unaware of it. If your dentist has noticed unusual tooth wear, or you wake with jaw soreness or headaches, a specialist assessment is strongly recommended.
Our Approach
A custom hard acrylic night guard that protects teeth from grinding forces, reduces muscle activity, and allows the jaw joint to rest in a neutral position.
Therapeutic Botox into the masseter and temporalis muscles reduces the force of clenching and grinding, providing significant relief from associated pain and tooth damage.
Reduces muscle inflammation and pain, accelerates tissue repair, and helps break the cycle of chronic muscle overactivity.
Sleep bruxism is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnoea. We assess and treat both conditions together where relevant.
Strategies to identify and reduce parafunctional habits, manage stress-related clenching, and improve jaw posture during the day.
For patients with established myofascial pain from chronic bruxism, trigger point injections provide rapid relief from jaw and referred head pain.
FAQ
Book a specialist consultation at our Kingston, Canberra clinic. No referral required.