You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- Dentistry
- Dentistry
- Clinching & Grinding
Dentistry/Clinching & Grinding
Advertisement
Question
I am hoping you can provide a possible solution to horrible clinching and grinding. I have worn off the enamel and they are occassionally sensitive. I have even been told by a dentist that I have stress fractures in my teeth and I need 3 crowns. I had a second opinion and the other dentist said that it wasnt that bad yet. I have tried soft guards and I destroy them within days. I have the NTI but I have ground it and my teeth down and it is now recessed and holds my mouth in an uncomfortable position. Do you have any suggestions, I would love to try to salvage my teeth.
Dear Dixie: You asked the right dentist. My son, now 33, has been a clencher/grinder for as long as he has had his teeth. He also wears thru biteguards. Where his front teeth are chipped and worn, I constantly replace bonding material, which I am using both to restore and to protect them. My recommendation to you is:
1) Have a clear, hard biteguard made to cover all your lower teeth. It should be about 2mm thick. Wear it at least 12 of every 24 hours. If you can wear it all day and night, that would be great. Take it out to clean, and when you are eating. Expect that it will wear through and have to be replace every 1-2 years.
2) Have your dentist place bonding material over the tops of your teeth, thus elevating your bite to change the position of where your lower jaw connects to your skull. This will both protect the teeth, and help reposition your jaw to a more comfortable position. Expect to have these replaced as they chip or break, about eery 2 years.
If you proceed, let me know what your results are. dd
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
- Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD
- Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.
- Ketan Amin, DMD
- Dr Craig Peck ( B.Med.Sc., B.Ch.D., M.Sc., Clin. Botox, Cosmet. Derm.)
- dr mayank kaurani BDS, MDS
- Tony Appleton BDS DPDS
- Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO
- Susan Tannenbam
- Dr. Randolph Myerson
- Crystal Baxter DMD< MDS
- Lawrence Gold
- Dr.Mike Glasmeier
- Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD
- Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD
- Simarjit kalra
- Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com
- Dr. Madhvendra T. Singh
- Joseph Zelig, DDS, D.ABP www.smileinthecity.com
- Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired
- Veselin Shumantov DDS
- Luis Granados DDS MS ESP.
- Stephen J. Moss
- Larry Burnett DDS
- Jeff Dalin DDS
- Rafael Mosery,D.D.S.
Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO
Expertise
I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.
Experience
Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.
Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)
Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University
Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry
Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society
Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.