Bruxism Treatment in Petaluma, CA

Does your sleeping partner report that you grind your teeth in your sleep? Have you been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, or TMD, in the past? Do you find yourself visiting the dentist regularly due to chipped or broken restorations? If this sounds like you, you may be dealing with a condition known as bruxism.

What is bruxism?

Dr. Yvonne Szyperski of North Bay Smiles in Petaluma, CA is a dentist who works routinely with patients who experience problems associated with bruxism. Bruxism is a specific condition that causes patients to experience clenching and grinding of the teeth, often in their sleep. Without protecting the teeth, patients may deal with:

  • Worn down teeth that have increased sensitivity
  • Broken restorations, including crowns and porcelain veneers
  • Lost dental fillings from past cavity treatments
  • Grinding sounds in their sleep that can disrupt a sleeping partner’s rest

It is unknown what specifically causes bruxism, but stress appears to be a contender for many patients. For others, it coincides with conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.

What can be done about bruxism?

Many doctors find that it is beneficial for a patient to be prescribed muscle relaxants for bruxism, but this is not always the only treatment option and does not always work for everyone. Because of this, Dr. Yvonne Szyperski recommends the use of an oral appliance. A bruxism appliance is a specialized mouthguard that is designed to fit properly in a patient’s mouth and provide a layer of protection for the upper and lower dental arch. These teeth often experience the signs of bruxism with wear and breakage. When a patient wears a bruxism appliance, however, they have plastic between the upper and lower dental arch that can cushion against clenching and grinding to protect the smile.

Do you suspect you have bruxism?

If you are interested in learning more about bruxism and the solutions available to help with it, consider working with the team at North Bay Smiles to discuss your options. We are located at 1580 East Washington Street, Suite #101 in Petaluma, California and welcome new patients. Call (707) 306-8001 to request your first consultation appointment with Dr. Yvonne Szyperski and her staff.