Why a Bruxism Appliance Is Much Better When Used Together with Botox

Doctor, if I wear a bruxism appliance,

will I stop grinding my teeth now?

As I’ve treated so many Botox patients, I naturally see a lot of bruxism patients as well. And at the same time, I get questions like the one above all the time.

A bruxism appliance is not a device that makes you stop grinding your teeth.

Its main purpose is to protect the teeth. Even if you grind your teeth, it keeps the teeth from directly hitting each other and prevents wear from deepening into cracks.

If left untreated, it can lead to various problems.

Today, I saw two bruxism patients as well, and because many people seemed to have misunderstandings, I sat down at my computer thinking it would be good to clear them upㅎㅎ

I’ll explain in detail the types of bruxism appliances, the synergistic effects you can expect when combined with treatment, and what problems can arise if bruxism is left untreated.

A bulletproof vest for your teeth: the real role of a hard-type bruxism appliance

There are usually two types of bruxism appliances: a soft type and a hard type.

I generally recommend

a thick hard type.

Because bruxism force is much stronger than people think. While you sleep, as your body relaxes more than when you’re awake, much greater force is repeatedly applied.

A thin appliance may feel comfortable at first, but if it is continuously subjected to strong force, it can tear easily.

A certain amount of thickness is needed to distribute the force broadly, stabilize the bite, and help reduce muscle overactivity to some extent.

Also, a little thickness is needed to place the jaw in its most stable position.

The temporomandibular joint has the lowest muscle tension when the mouth is slightly open, and a properly thick hard-type appliance artificially creates this “stable gap.”

A combination of spear and shield: the complementary relationship with bruxism Botox

There is actually another treatment that helps reduce strain on the teeth.

It is Botox, which reduces muscle strength.

Let me ask you a question.

If you arm wrestled Choo Sung-hoon, who do you think would win? There’s about a 98% chance that Choo Sung-hoon would winㅎㅎ

His arm muscles are amazing, right? With muscles that strong, of course his strength is also impressiveㅎㅎ

Every day, the chewing muscles (the masseter muscles) and the muscles that lift the jaw upward near the temples (the temporalis muscles) work when we eat.

Just as muscles become bigger and stronger with daily exercise, the masseter and temporalis muscles become thicker and stronger through daily chewing.

So Botox is used to reduce the strength and tension of the masseter and temporalis muscles, thereby decreasing the force transmitted to the teeth.

We’re ranked second nationwide in Botox usageㅎㅎ Please feel at ease and leave it to us~

That’s why I explain Botox together with bruxism treatment. A bruxism appliance protects the teeth, and Botox reduces muscle strength.

Sometimes people ask which one is better, this or thatㅎㅎ They’re not competitors. They complement each other, so doing both is the most ideal approach.

As some of you may already know, I place a strong emphasis on preserving patients’ natural teeth. That’s why, with any treatment, I want patients to be able to use their teeth for a long time and keep them healthy.

So for people who grind their teeth, I recommend a strategy that combines protection and force control whenever possible. I see this not as a short-term prescription, but as a long-term strategy.

Left untreated: the awful end result of full-mouth restoration

At first, you may simply notice jaw stiffness. But if it is left alone, tooth sensitivity appears and the neck area of the teeth starts to wear down severely. This is called cervical abrasion.

The cervical area refers to the space between the tooth and the gums. It is usually called the “neck” of the tooth. When chewing force is continuously applied over a long period, this area can wear down into a wedge shape.

This is not only aesthetically undesirable, but above all, it can make the teeth extremely sensitive. The problem does not end there. If the habit of grinding continues, even the chewing surfaces can wear down.

What happens then?

The teeth gradually become shorter. As the chewing surfaces wear down, the overall length decreases as well. In the long term, the vertical dimension of occlusion—the height when the teeth are bitten together—can collapse.

If you look at elderly grandparents in the countryside from the past, you may have often seen that their mouths were sunken and the lower third of the face had become shorter. Yes.. if left untreated for too long, the lower face can become shorter, leading to changes in facial appearance and even putting strain on the temporomandibular joint.

And do you know what the next stage is? “Full-mouth restoration.” It can progress to the point where all 28 teeth need to be treated with crowns.

I want to prevent patients who trusted me and came to see me from ever reaching that stage as much as possible. That’s why I help provide accurate and prompt treatment using bruxism appliances and Botox^^

If your jaw feels stiff when you wake up in the morning, if your teeth are becoming more sensitive, or if you feel like your teeth are getting shorter, your body is already sending you signals.

Source: blyssdental

Starting treatment before the problem grows is wiser than waiting until it gets worse, so if you have similar symptoms, please get examined without delay.

This has been So-Hyun Soo, the director of Jaejoolgood Dental Clinic. Thank you!

👇🏻 Quick reservation 👇🏻

👇 Articles worth reading together! 👇