Do I need to get my teeth bonded at this time while I still have moderate to heavy bruxism, or should I wait? (Photo)

Question

40/M- having bruxism for the last 4y. I've anxiety and I've been taking AD medication. I have been fitted with a soft night guard which I wore during night time. There were periods in the past that I hardly had any clenching or grinding. On a recent visit to the dentist asking for my bite guard to be replaced, I was told it’s best to get my front teeth bonded (around 6 teeth and I have attached photos) few have flattened and ones on top have become very sharp and I can see very small chips.

Desiree Yazdan, DDS · Answer

I'm not sure of the extent that your dentist wants to bond your teeth.  If the bonding is to fix a few small cavities, than have those done asap.  If the bonding is done as a "veneer," let me share some information to help you with your decision.  As you can see, your grinding habit has caused damage to your own teeth, and to your night guard. If you want to have bonding done to repair your teeth, it can be done, but the rehabilitation must be rather extensive to improve the bite to protect the teeth and the bonding. Without at least proper protection, the bonding will most likely break in short time. Your bite may have been collapsed from all of the grinding over the years (I cannot tell from your photos), so you may need a full mouth reconstruction to build up your back teeth, so that you do not break your teeth in the front.I have found that people who grind their front teeth and have crowding in the lower front teeth, often have sleep breathing issues.  I would recommend that you have a sleep study done.  If you do have any sleep issues and they are resolved you might find that your grinding improves.It's best to find the source of your grinding and clenching, and try to improve it.  One thing I must mention is that in my experience, grinding comes and goes in 10 year cycles.  Stress is also an important additive that can make you grind more. I would suggest that you look into some of these things before you bond your teeth.  I have seen many people trying to fix symptoms of a bigger problem, and this can lead to a cycle of damage and repair.  Try to find and address the reasons for your tooth grinding and then you will find a more stable, long-term solution.

Martin Frankel, DDS · Answer

I'm not sure of the extent that your dentist wants to bond your teeth.  Therefore it is difficult to answer your question definitely.  I will tell you some information that I hope will help you in your decision and your discussion with your dentist.1)  Bonding is not as strong as your own tooth.  As you can see, your grinding habit has caused damage to your own teeth, and to your night guard.  Without at least proper protection, the bonding will most likely break in short time.  That would mean at least another night guard.2)  I have found that people who grind their front teeth and have crowding in the lower front teeth, often have sleep breathing issues.  I would recommend that you have a sleep study done.  If you do have any sleep issues and they are resolved you might find that your grinding improves.3)  If you want to have bonding done to repair your teeth, it can be done, but the rehabilitation must be rather extensive to improve the bite to protect the teeth and the bonding.4)  Certain medications that people take for anxiety and depression can trigger tooth grinding.I would suggest that you look into some of these things before you bond your teeth.  I have seen many people trying to fix symptoms of a bigger problem, and this can lead to a cycle of damage and repair.  Try to find and address the reasons for your tooth grinding and then you will find a more stable, long-term solution.Good luck!

John A. Merrill, DDS · Answer

You have many options--you can look to control the effects of grinding with a hard appliance--soft ones are shown to actually trigger chewing in your sleep over the long term. Adding composite to the weakened edges is an option as well as is looking to improve the bite with orthodontics. Sleep apnea needs to be ruled out as well as this can cause grinding on your teeth and sleep apnea is very dangerous to your long term health. Good Luck

Do I need to get my teeth bonded at this time while I still have moderate to heavy bruxism, or should I wait? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Bonding

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Do I need to get my teeth bonded at this time while I still have moderate to heavy bruxism, or should I wait? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Bonding

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.