Sleep Dentistry

Nighttime clenching and grinding can wear down your teeth and cause dental pain. With sleep dentistry, general dentist Jeffrey Osborne, DDS, and the team at Smiles of Fort Worth can help. If you live in or around the Fort Worth, Texas, area, and have concerns about what happens to your teeth at night, contact the dental team online or over the phone and schedule your appointment at Smiles of Fort Worth today.

What is sleep dentistry?

Despite what it sounds like, sleep dentistry isn’t performed while you’re unconscious. Rather, sleep dentistry addresses dental issues that occur at night while you sleep, like bruxism and teeth-clenching. These behaviors happen without your realizing it and can lead to dental complications. That’s why sleep dentistry is essential.

What is bruxism?

Many people go through involuntary stress responses at night that result in unconscious tooth grinding, also known as bruxism or jaw clenching. You may not be aware that it is happening, but your teeth can still experience wear-and-tear.

For example, nighttime teeth-grinding often results in damaged dental enamel. Bruxism also places unnecessary stress on restorative dentistry repairs like crowns and implants. And nighttime tooth grinding or pressure is often related to complex pain problems involving your face, head, and neck.

Why would you need sleep dentistry?

If you wake up with dental or facial pain or if dentists have expressed concern over wear or damage to your teeth due to clenching or grinding, sleep dentistry could be the type of specialized support you need.

It may not be possible for you to stop bruxing on your own, although better stress relief approaches may also help the problem. The Smiles of Fort Worth team has other ways to protect your teeth and the delicate nerves in your face, head, and neck from nighttime stresses. 

Sleep dentistry studies let the dentist know what you need to relieve your symptoms and improve your condition.

What is involved in sleep dentistry?

At Smiles of Fort Worth, the team understands how frustrating it can be to experience negative oral health impacts during the night when you’re supposed to be resting peacefully.

The team offers specialized sleep appliances to help you relax in comfort and protect your long-term dental health. A customized night guard cushions your teeth and jaw, preventing unconscious clenching and grinding. Your provider ensures the perfect fit of your sleep appliance for optimal comfort.

You can benefit from the team’s years of expertise with sleep dentistry by contacting Smiles of Fort Worth. Schedule your initial consultation appointment today by calling the office, or book your appointment with the online scheduling tool.