TMJ
Oral Parafunction: Teeth Grinding, Teeth Clenching or Teeth Bracing
October 15th, 2014
Behind most, if not all, failed dental care — including implants; broken, chipped, cracked and mobile teeth; failed root canals, crowns and bridges; and cervical erosions — is an oral disease known as destructive parafunction.
Parafunctional behavior consists of a variety of chewing system activities that are harmful to your teeth and jaw, including:
- Teeth grinding
- Teeth clenching
- Tooth bracing
- Object biting
- Muscle bracing
- Gum chewing
Parafunction Effects & Treatment
According to recent studies, 90% of patients with parafunction are unaware of their habit. Because most grinding and clenching of teeth occurs subconsciously at night, patients usually aren’t aware of the harmful effects. If you happen to catch yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, take note. Parafunction can be painful and cause severe wear and tear on your teeth. It is a behavior that can cause both minor and major damage to your gums, bones, teeth, muscles and joints.
Due to the complexity of this behavior, and the fact that nearly all patients experiencing oral parafunction are doing it subconsciously, there is often a management system put in place for destructive parafunction treatment, rather than a cure. Through management techniques including the use of an orthopedic appliance, and identifying an individual’s behaviors that cause clenched teeth, you will be that much closer to overcoming your oral parafunctional behavior.
Schedule an Appointment to Manage Your Oral Parafunction at Raleigh Facial Pain Center
Whether you are suffering from teeth clenching or tongue biting, these habits can be destructive. If you notice yourself developing constant tension headaches, jaw pain, face pain, tooth pain or ear pain, you may be suffering from this hidden oral disease. If you need help controlling your bruxism, also referred to as parafunction, reach out to the Triangle’s most experienced facial pain specialist at Raleigh Facial Pain Center.
We have years of experience helping patients manage their oral parafunction, and we look forward to helping you lead a fuller, healthier life.
Things to Consider When Choosing a TMJ Specialist
July 8th, 2014
If you are suffering from the restricted opening of your mouth, you may have TMJ. While it is easy enough to simply look at reviews online to pick a TMJ specialist to inspect your jaw, there are certain things to consider before settling on one physician.
At Raleigh Facial Pain Center, we want to make sure you get all the information you need to choose a qualified TMJ dentist or doctor who will help you live comfortably and pain-free once again.
When choosing a doctor to treat your TMJ, you want to make sure they are:
- Board-certified. Currently, the American Dental Association (ADA) does not have a defined specialty in orofacial pain, but the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP) offers certification with Diplomate status. A Diplomate is a dentist who is certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain, and has gone above and beyond the mandatory educational requirements for their specialty. To be qualified for Board certification, they must be certified as a dentist, including basic college education and completion of dental school to earn a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree; have taken at least 400 hours of continuing education in subjects related to orofacial pain; and have practiced in orofacial pain for at least two years. Candidates can also qualify if they have completed at least one year of a full-time university residency program or hospital-based program. After the above requirements are met, comprehensive oral and written examinations are given covering all phases of orofacial pain. Once the examinations are successfully completed, Diplomate status is awarded.
- Residency-trained. Some dentists complete residency and/or fellowship after completion of dental school. During residency, dentists undergo in-depth training in a particular field of study to become an expert in that field.
Reach Out to Raleigh Facial Pain for Help Choosing a TMJ Specialist
We want to make sure you are protected when you seek treatment for your TMJ problems. If you need help choosing a specialist, please don’t hesitate to contact Raleigh Facial Pain Center today at (919) 781-6600. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have or to schedule you an appointment with one of our physicians.
