Tooth Clenching & Grinding

Do you wake up in the morning with a tight jaw and pain towards your ears. Maybe you even wake with a headache and a sore neck. Did you know that all of this pain could be because you’re clenching or grinding your teeth? Tooth clenching and grinding can cause headaches, earaches, clicking of the jaw and pain in the jaw muscles, as well as damaging the teeth. You may benefit from an occlusal splint (also known as a night guard) if you wake up from your sleep clenching your teeth, have pain in your face or jaws or headaches on waking, or have a history of cracked teeth.
The occlusal splint helps symptoms of clenching and grinding by protecting the teeth from damage, and relaxing jaw muscles which helps to reduce muscle tension.
Getting an occlusal splint made is easy. At Portside dental we use a 3D digital scanner to take a digital impression of your teeth. This is sent to a dental laboratory who custom make the occlusal splint for you.

While occlusal splints can be very helpful for many people who suffer from pain in the jaw muscles, they are not always the best option for everyone. For those who cannot tolerate an occlusal splint, Botulinum toxin A injections (also known as anti-wrinkle injections) can be a great alternative for relieving pain in the jaw muscles.

Dr. Meredith Metin is an expert in providing this treatment, and she can help determine whether Botulinum toxin A injections are a good option for you. If you are interested in learning more about this treatment, please don’t hesitate to call Portside Dental to schedule a consultation with Dr. Metin. We are committed to helping our patients find the right solution for their individual circumstances, and we are always here to answer any questions you may have.