Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding can lead to worn down teeth, chipped or broken teeth, jaw pain and headaches. For teeth grinding treatment in Albuquerque, call our office to schedule a consultation.

ONE-ON-ONE CARE IN Albuquerque, NM

Providing Gentle, Judgment-free Care

Your comfort and well-being are important to us. We provide tailored care designed to meet your unique needs. Our dentists never pressure you into treatments you don’t need, so you only get the services you want. No matter what brings you here, we never judge, scold, or guilt our patients. Your smile is the reason for everything we do, and we want to help you achieve your best smile yet!

Book Now

What Is Bruxism?

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common sleep time habit of patients that can lead to tooth damage, headaches or pain of the jaw joint. With our dental treatments, grinding or clenching of the teeth can be alleviated with the use of an NTI (nociceptive trigeminal inhibition) Night Guard splint. The splint covers the front teeth and provides a protective gap between the upper and lower teeth so that grinding does not occur.

The NTI is approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) for the treatment of migraine headaches and other symptoms commonly caused by nocturnal teeth grinding. Use of the NTI can prevent the damaging effects of teeth grinding by triggering a muscle relaxing reflex as the jaw muscles attempt to tighten while you sleep.

Why Do You Grind Your Teeth?

There are several possible causes for bruxism, so successful treatment must address the root cause to fully eliminate the effects of teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress, an abnormal bite or sleep apnea. Your dentist can examine your mouth to identify any oral conditions that may be at the root of your teeth grinding.

Constant tooth grinding can result in loose or lost teeth which can lead to more extensive – and more expensive – oral problems. TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders), for example, is a disorder of the jaw joint that causes severe pain in the hinge of the jaw, your face muscles, neck and shoulders. The effects of TMD can ultimately impact your speech and make it difficult to chew or open your mouth.

Don't Live with Teeth Grinding

If you are having difficulty with teeth grinding, contact us today to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Lines and Dr. Anderson. Once the cause of your bruxism is identified, a more permanent treatment plan can be developed that will treat the source as well as the symptom. Together, you and our dental care professionals can formulate a treatment plan after a thorough examination.

Learn More About Teeth Grinding

WebMD: Jaw Pain

Cleveland Clinic: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Healthline: What’s the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?

Colgate: Foods To Eat When Your TMJ Is Aching

Insurance Made Easy

We accept insurance and are in-network with most major carriers, including Delta Dental, Aetna, Ameritas, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, GEHA, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, Principal, United Concordia, and United Healthcare. Call us and we can check your insurance for you.

Book Online

Or Call: (505) 218-7903

Do You Accept Walk-ins and Same-Day Appointments?

Yes, our practice welcomes walk-in patients. At Legacy Dental , we want to make sure you receive care when it’s most convenient for you. If you’ve experienced a dental injury, we also offer emergency appointments as scheduling permits. For same-day dental care, call or visit your trusted local Albuquerque cosmetic dentist today!