Orthodontics in the treatment of bruxism
Orthodontics in the treatment of bruxism - how does bite alignment help treatment?
Bruxism is the unconscious, excessive clenching and grinding of teeth that leads to enamel wear, excessive masseter muscle tension and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. It is a multifactorial problem, so its successful treatment requires a holistic approach - including orthodontics, physiotherapy, osteopathy, supplementation and working on stress and lifestyle.
One of the key stages of therapy is the correction of the bite, as misalignment of the teeth and traumatic knots can exacerbate bruxism and lead to muscle and temporomandibular joint strain.
How does orthodontics help to treat bruxism?
- Elimination of trauma knots - if teeth contact unevenly, some areas of the bite become overloaded, provoking excessive muscle tension and clenching. Orthodontic treatment evens out the contacts between teeth, distributing chewing forces more evenly.
- Improving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function - an abnormal bite can force the jaw into compensatory alignment, causing chronic muscle tension and stress on the joint. Orthodontic treatment stabilises the bite system, which can reduce pain and muscle tension.
- Reducing muscle tension - abnormal alignment height and poor contacts between teeth can force the masticatory muscles to become overactive. Orthodontics helps to restore normal muscle function by reducing muscle overload.
- Stabilising the position of the mandible - in patients whose bruxism is due to the compensatory positioning of the mandible in a sub-optimal position, orthodontics can help to position the mandible correctly, reducing tension and eliminating the cause of the problem.
- Protecting the teeth from further wear - in the case of advanced bruxism, the teeth may already be severely worn down and shortened, so we carry out a project bonding, a temporary bonding, which has a protective and stabilising function for the duration of the orthodontic treatment. Once the orthodontic treatment has been completed, the final restoration of the height of the short-circuit is necessary, which may include final bonding, porcelain veneers or crowns, if these were planned in the treatment strategy. Their purpose is not only to aesthetically reconstruct the smile, but above all to restore correct occlusal function.
Orthodontic treatment for bruxism - stages of treatment
- Digital diagnostics - analysis of patient's shortness of breath, muscle tone and temporomandibular joint function. Potential use of cervical therapy as a preparatory step for the fitting of fixed braces.
- Orthodontic therapy - the use of fixed braces or overlay systems (Invisalign) to correct bite abnormalities and eliminate knots.
- Stabilisation of occlusion after orthodontic treatment - treatment of bruxism does not end with the removal of the braces.
- Selective grinding of dental contacts - minimal occlusion corrections are made where necessary to ensure optimal distribution of forces.
- Final prosthetic restoration (bonding, veneers, crowns) - if the patient has had temporary bonding performed during treatment, it is necessary to replace it with a final final restoration that provides the correct shape, function and optimal bite support for all groups of teeth in the most ideal and desirable way. A properly performed final restoration plays a key role in the long-term stabilisation of the bite and the elimination of muscle tension.
- Relaxation splint - in many patients, despite the alignment of the bite, it is necessary to continue to use a protective splint at night to prevent overloading and protect the effects of treatment.
Summary
Orthodontics is a key part of treatment bruxism, helping to eliminate abnormal occlusal contacts and relieve stress on joints and muscles. However, successful therapy often requires additional steps after orthodontic treatment - splint stabilisation, selective grinding and final Tooth restorations, especially if previously performed bonding temporary. Only after a complete definitive restoration, in which optimal occlusal contacts and support of all tooth groups are ensured, is it possible to achieve maximum stabilisation of treatment effects and patient comfort.
W Unident Union® we take a comprehensive approach to treatment bruxism, combining orthodontics, physiotherapy, osteopathy and prosthetics to provide patients with not only an aesthetically pleasing, but above all healthy and functional smile for years to come.
