Other Services

Night guards are dental appliances made of plastic that fit over top or lower teeth. They look very similar to dentures. Night guards are also known as dental guards, mouth guards, or splint guards. Night guards are used for treating Bruxism. Teeth clenching and teeth grinding at night are known as bruxism, it causes mild to moderate jaw pain, gum recession, and facial pain. Night guards help to treat the mild bruxism. Most bruxism cases can simply be treated by sleeping with a night guard on the teeth. They work by acting as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth and prevent the teeth from contacting each other. The night guards for teeth help to relieve pain while clenching the teeth, they also protect and buffer the muscles in the jaw. This buffering relieves jaw pain, and facial pain, and protects the tooth enamel. Night guards are made up of soft plastic material that fits comfortably on the teeth. They are less costly and are easily obtainable without a prescription from the dentist. They are ideal for the treatment of mild bruxism; however, they are not the long-term solution for severe bruxism. Night guards are used by people who suffer from:

• Teeth grinding
• Jaw soreness
• Tiredness from the lack of sleep
• Headaches
• Mild facial pain

Night guards are easily available in the market without the prescription from a dentist, and they can be bought from online retailers at a reasonable price.

Occlusal guards:

The term "occlusal" means the teeth' surfaces used for chewing while eating. These surfaces are damaged by severe clenching and grinding of teeth, also known as the "Bruxism," while sleeping. Occlusal guards are used for treating severe bruxism and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that cause intense facial and jaw pain, jaw soreness, headache, and tooth sensitivity. Occlusal guards for teeth are removable dentures like appliances; they are like night guards but are made of hard acrylic plastic and are suitable for heavy and intense teeth clenching and for TMJ. Occlusal guards protect the tooth surface and enable alleviating the symptoms related to bruxism and TMJ. The following are some signs that may indicate the necessity for an occlusal guard:

• Severe teeth clenching and grinding
• Intense discomfort and pain in the jaw
• Loose teeth
• Intense facial pain and feeling pressure in the cheeks
• Disrupted pain

Occlusal guards are custom-made, and they are prescribed by dentists. Many occlusal guards are only worn at night, although those who grind or clench their teeth during the day may benefit from wearing them during the day. Occlusal guards would not prevent the person from clenching or grinding the teeth, but they can be a very effective solution to protect the teeth during the day or night for those who suffer from unconscious destructive oral habits.

- How are they made?

Occlusal guards are for people with teeth grinding difficulties and bite abnormalities. The devices are custom-made from vinyl, light-cured composite, soft acrylic, or resin made from heat-cured acrylic. The most durable and long-lasting bruxism night guards are those made of heat-cured acrylic. Softer materials are commonly used in occlusal guards for kids since their teeth and jaws expand.

- When to see the dentist?

For patients with flat teeth, an occlusal guard may be recommended by their dental professional during a routine checkup. If a patient wakes up with a headache, jaw discomfort, toothache, or lethargy, they should see a dentist. Grinding or clenching teeth can cause gum discomfort and possibly release teeth from their sockets; therefore, it's important to be aware of this.

- What to expect from the procedure?

If your dentist recommends that you get an occlusal guard, you may need to make two visits to the dentist before the final result is ready. The dentist will take a series of impressions of the patient's mouth. A dental lab will then use the impression to develop a custom-fit mouthguard for the patient.  The dentist will examine the fit of the guard on the second appointment and advise on how to use and maintain it. It takes a few weeks of consistent use of the occlusal guard for most patients to get accustomed to wearing it. Most patients find it easy to sleep while wearing a nightguard after acclimating. After the adjustment time, if the device continues to cause pain or discomfort, the patient may need to return to the dentist for modifications.

- How do they work?

Occlusal guards help protect the teeth from extensive wear and tear. It forms a barrier or cushion between the upper and lower teeth, slowing down the rate of surface degradation. When the jaw is relaxed, the force generated by clenching or grinding is lessened. As a result, the jaw joints will be protected, and the teeth will remain in good condition.  Although the night guard itself doesn't treat any condition, it serves as a safeguard against the more serious consequences of teeth grinding. If you ignore the signs, you risk developing more significant dental issues, such as tooth breakage or even tooth loss. In the long run, correcting these more significant concerns can cost more than the cost of an occlusal guard. Using the occlusal guard is an effective measure that dentists recommend to prevent patients from grinding their teeth. Visit your dentist if you have doubts about whether you need a nightguard. Do you occasionally wake up with jaw discomfort or stiffness, a headache, sensitive teeth, or indicators that your teeth are moving or wearing away? If so, an occlusal guard may help. Occlusal guards, also known as night guards, mouth guards, bite guards, and dental guards, are removable devices that fit over the teeth. They may help you avoid problems like jaw discomfort, headaches, worn or damaged teeth, and much more. Noninvasive and effective occlusal guards are an excellent bruxer treatment choice.

Purpose:

The ultimate goal of a bite guard is to reduce grinding and clenching forces and avoid more damage and suffering. Clenching or grinding their teeth is something that many people do unconsciously at night when they aren't paying attention. A bite guard will not prevent clenching or grinding, but you may rest easy knowing that this device will safeguard your teeth from damage and relieve tension in your jaw muscles.

Working:

In the beginning, impressions of your teeth are taken, and they are then delivered to the laboratory, where a bite guard built just for you is created. The personalized bite guard is supplied two weeks later and adjusted for fit and function. A proper fitting is crucial for starters because an incorrect bite guard might aggravate an already problematic situation by making it much worse!

Necessity:

Symptoms help decide if you require an occlusal guard, like if:

• You feel drained when you wake up.
• You're prone to waking up with a toothache or a headache.
• You have sleep apnea.
• Your jaw muscles are painful, or you have joint discomfort in your jaw.
• Your teeth begin to loosen, or you begin to experience discomfort in your gums due to clenching.
• During a routine dental exam, your dentist observed that your teeth had been crushed.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT):

If you want the best periodontal care and comprehensive oral health, CBCT scans are an essential component. It’s a cutting-edge imaging technique with a wide range of potential uses in dentistry.  Dental and maxillofacial imaging have significantly benefited from the use of CBCT. CBCT radiation exposure is approximately ten times lower than traditional CT scans. However, because of its high level of accuracy, CBCT can offer volumetric data in three dimensions.

Working:

Using the information gathered, a 3D reconstruction develops the model of your teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, and ENT zone. The CBCT scanner spins around the patient’s head in dental and orthodontic imaging, capturing 600 unique views. In interventional radiology, the patient lies, so the region of interest is centered in the cone beam’s field of vision. A single 200-degree spin around the target region can yield volumetric data.

Benefits:

• Images that are clearer and more accurate.
• Presents in-depth information regarding your dental health.
• A pleasant and speedy encounter.
• Radiation with a lower dosage.

Necessity:

Specifically, using this technology is critical to planning and executing a successful dental implant operation. The high resolution of a CBCT scan allows us to see your bones, nerves, and soft tissues in great detail, so we can evaluate your condition and formulate a treatment strategy before any surgery starts. This imaging assists the periodontist in:

• Precise jaw measurements.
• Diagnosing problems with the gums.
• Finding blemishes that may signal illness.
• Identifying the source of any discomfort you’re experiencing.
• Examine the condition of your sinuses, nose, and nerve canal.

Panoramic X- Rays

Dental X-rays used in panoramic radiography, often known as “Panorex,” provide a two-dimensional (2-D) view of the entire mouth, encompassing the upper and lower jaws and surrounding structures or tissues.

Working:

Like a horseshoe, the jaw has a curved shape. On the other hand, the curving structure appears flat in the panoramic X-ray image. An X-ray exam aids in diagnosing and treating a wide range of dental issues. Panoramic X-rays consume only a modest dosage of ionizing radiation to get images of the inside of the body. Patients must open their mouths to have an intraoral X-ray taken; however, with a panoramic X-ray, the film and detector are put within a machine. The patient is not required to open their mouth at all throughout the imaging process.

• After an x-ray checkup, no radiation remains in the body.
• Typical diagnostic X-rays have no adverse effects.
• They come in handy while treating young children since the film doesn’t go inside the mouth.

Limitations:

A panoramic X-ray doesn’t show details about each tooth or soft tissue, including muscles. In most cases, it’s utilized to quickly examine the teeth and bones. Because your mouth is curved, the panoramic X-ray may produce a little hazy image that does not allow exact measurements of your teeth and jaw.