Teeth grinding can be an involuntary response to stress during the day, but for people who have issues with TMJ dysfunction, it can become a recurring problem during sleep. Over time, the wear and tear on teeth from habitual teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can lead to noticeable changes to your appearance. If this has become an issue for you, our Katy, TX dental practice can help. Cosmetic dentistry has helped many patients restore teeth that look damaged or misshapen, while also making corrections to their color. You should be aware that if bruxism is not addressed in time, it can become more than just a problem for the way you look – you can eventually do real oral health damage!
Grinding Your Teeth Can Cause Visible Wear And Tear For Your Smile
The friction your teeth experience when you grind them can lead to discomfort, and it can cause you to feel facial soreness or sensitivity. With that said, a single instance of grinding your teeth can have little impact on the way you look. The problem becomes more pronounced when you grind your teeth on a recurring basis. The accumulation of friction over time can change the shape of your teeth, or even lead to chips and cracks in your enamel. When this occurs, you can find yourself with smile flaws that make you feel embarrassed, or concerned about your oral health.
Restoring Damaged Teeth With Conservative Cosmetic Work
Cosmetic dental work can produce real changes to your smile while having less effect on your tooth structure than you might expect. With porcelain veneers, your dentist can transform the way you look while making minimal changes to your tooth structure. A small amount of enamel can be removed in order to create space for these restorations, which can make teeth look whiter, more uniform, and healthier. In some cases, patients have bonding and contouring work done to hide damage from teeth grinding. This approach does not require the use of restorations, so it can lead to results with an even more conservative approach.
Addressing TMJ Dysfunction To Put A Stop To Teeth Grinding
If you grind your teeth because of unaddressed TMJ dysfunction, you should be aware that dental damage is one of several concerns you should have. This problem can also lead to chronic pain in your face and neck, as well as headaches or even migraines on a consistent basis. At our practice, we can use an oral appliance to relieve pressure on your jaw, and look at possible problems with your bite function or oral health that might be causing your troubles.
Lathrop Dental Center Can Restore Teeth Damaged By Chronic Grinding
Lathrop Dental Center is ready to help patients who feel concerned about the effect teeth grinding has started to have on their appearance. If you are worried that your smile has changed over time because of wear and tear for any reason, or if you have any other esthetic concerns, we are ready to discuss cosmetic dentistry with you! For more information, you can reach our office in Katy, TX, by calling 832-437-3849.
