Bruxism – nocturnal grinding of teeth2023-01-13T10:07:38+01:00

Botulinum for the treatment of nocturnal teeth grinding (bruxism)

Bruxism is the grinding of teeth at night while sleeping. Morning pain in the jaw joint and ground teeth are indications that the patient grinds his or her teeth at night. Other patients clench their teeth without grinding. They complain of tension and pain in the jaw joint, which develops arthritis more quickly. The teeth are ground down less, but can still be damaged.

The causes are unclear, but the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are considered risk factors. Chronic stress or an anxiety disorder are also possible causes, but clear studies on this are not available.

What should the patient do about nocturnal teeth grinding?

First of all, a clarification by the dentist, sometimes by the orthodontist, is indicated. The dentist examines the condition of the teeth and the tooth contact (matching position and shape of the teeth in the upper jaw to the teeth in the lower jaw). He or she can either confirm the diagnosis of nocturnal teeth grinding or find another reason for the condition. You can find a dentist near you here: SSO Swiss Dental Association.

Bruxism can be treated with a splint or with botulinum (Bocouture®)

A common treatment for teeth grinding is a splint to wear at night. It prevents the teeth from suffering further damage by grinding each other down. Discuss this treatment option with your dentist. If a splint does not help, injecting botulinum into the chewing muscles can relieve the discomfort. The drug takes effect after about a week. The average duration of effect is 3 to 6 months.

How does botulinum (Bocouture®) work for teeth grinding?

Botulinum slows down the activity of the masticatory muscles, which are located on both sides of the jaw angle and lead the lower jaw upwards to bite. You can feel your chewing muscles by putting your hand to your cheek in front of your ear, sliding your hand down a little and biting your teeth a few times. Botulinum reduces the strength of these chewing muscles. Of course, you don’t want any weakness in the chewing muscles to occur that would hinder you in your everyday eating. Therefore, at the first injection I only inject a partial dose, which I then add to as needed at the next consultation.

Unfortunately, no reliable information is available on alternative treatments such as biofeedback or hypnotherapy.

It should be mentioned that this treatment is usually not covered by the health insurance and is therefore at the patient’s expense.

FAQ

Does a botulinum treatment impair mastication?2023-01-20T13:19:46+01:00

Normally, it does not. However, it is recommended to inject partial amounts of botulinum in order to avoid this side effetc. 

I have a cold, can I still come for treatment?2023-01-09T12:25:37+01:00

If you have mild cold symptoms without fever, we can still perform treatment. However, if you have a fever or are more seriously ill, we should postpone the treatment for your safety.

Is botulinum a causal therapy for bruxism?2023-01-20T13:21:14+01:00

No. Ultimately, the cause of nocturnal teeth grinding remains unknown. Patients often blame psychological stress for their disorder. Botulinum only reduces the mechanical stress exerted on the teeth and the temporomandibular joint. At the same time, a dental exam is necessary as well as a search for potential triggers. The patient benefits from treatment as his pain is alleviated, and his teeth suffer less damage. 

What do I need to have ready for counselling/treatment?2023-01-09T12:25:03+01:00

Please have your medication list ready and, if available, a list of known diagnoses or chronic diseases.

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