As a dentist, it isn’t uncommon for you to be the first one to notice a patient may have a habit of grinding their teeth (bruxism). While bruxism may cause jaw pain, TMJ pain, or headaches in some patients, many others have no symptoms until a dentist notices the wear and tear on their teeth. To make this habit even more difficult to catch is the fact that many patients grind their teeth in their sleep.

In fact, the most current research shows that patients who brux may actually have a sleep disorder breathing problem.  If this is the case, a sleep appliance is the logical treatment of choice.  If the patient is not suffering from a breathing issue, a dual laminate splint may be the solution for their bruxing problem.

As our society continues to increase in complexity, the incidence of Bruxism and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD) continues to rise. 

Nocturnal Bruxism may constitute the most destructive form of bruxism (due largely to the fact that the patient tends to be unaware of the habit until it is too late) and TMJD is an extremely complex problem that impacts an increasingly significant percentage of the population.

Although a wide variety of treatment approaches and appliance designs are available for the treatment of these disorders, the most common appliance of choice is a splint.

The biggest problem observed in adult dental patients is ABNORMAL OCCLUSAL WEAR.  This ends up causing a decrease in the vertical dimension of the patient -- wearing down teeth to the point where full mouth reconstruction is inevitable.

Is There Room for Philosophy in Orthodontics?

One may not typically consider an orthodontist a philosopher, but the decisions he or she makes in how to treat patients are grounded in personal philosophy regarding the best treatment methods. Take for example, an orthodontist confronted with a patient with crowded teeth. Does she pull teeth to make room or does she believe in carefully guiding arch development to properly align teeth?

The Crozat appliance was one of the very first devices to embody the philosophy of arch development to preserve facial beauty, TMJ health, and airway development. In 1964, Frank F. Lamons, professor and chairman of the department of orthodontists at the University School of Dentistry wrote about the “Crozat philosophy,” which seeks “harmony in form and structure as well as harmony in function.”

Our video independent learning courses and “Sessions with the Experts” series feature over 180 individual videos designed and created to make you a proficient appliance therapy provider.  

These days, your patients don’t have to walk around with a mouth full of metal if they want straight teeth. Clear orthodontic tray systems, are a great option for patients who would otherwise feel self-conscious about wearing braces --especially adults who work in professional environments.

However, not every patient is a good candidate for clear orthodontic trays. If you have a patient who is wants an alternative esthetic option, consider offering ceramic braces with tooth-colored ceramic brackets. Though ceramic brackets aren’t as subtle as clear removable trays, they are significantly less noticeable than typical metal brackets.