Teeth Grinding Treatment in Finchley Central

Seek treatment when grinding affects daily life. Signs include waking with dull headaches, jaw muscle ache around the jaw joint, or a partner hearing grinding at night. It's a good indicator if a dental exam shows flattened, fractured, or chipped teeth with no other cause. Patients from the Finchley Central area notice more sensitive or worn teeth, which reflects enamel wear from constant grinding forces.

First, you have a 45-minute consultation at our Finchley practice, a short walk or one tube ride from Finchley Central. We discuss your symptoms and examine your teeth and jaw for signs of bruxism. Instead of traditional impressions, we use a 3D digital scanner for precise impressions, a quick and comfortable process. The digital model is used to make your custom occlusal splint, or night guard. A recent patient, a project manager from Finchley Central, had tension headaches from work stress. His custom guard relieved jaw tension within a week. The final fitting takes about 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring a perfect fit and providing aftercare instructions.

Caring for your night guard is straightforward. In the first week it might feel unusual to wear it, but most patients adapt quickly. Clean the guard every morning with a soft toothbrush and cool water to prevent bacteria buildup. Do not use hot water, as it can warp the material. Store it in its case when not in use. Some patients notice extra saliva at first, usually settling in a few days. At follow-up visits we check the fit and look for wear. If you have sharp pain or discomfort, call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) to adjust.

While a dentist-made night guard is the gold standard, other options exist. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are cheaper initially but fit poorly, feel bulky, and do not protect as well, sometimes worsening jaw pain. Another patient with early wear considered a chemist-bought guard but chose our professional solution after learning how a poor fit strains the jaw. Other strategies include stress management techniques like meditation or cognitive behavioural therapy since bruxism links to stress. In some cases muscle relaxants are prescribed, though usually short term. We discuss the best approach for your situation during the consultation.

To choose your treatment, ask these questions of any dental provider, whether us or another practice in North London. What material do you use for night guards, and how durable is it? How long from impression to final fitting? What is the total cost including consultation, scan, and fitting? Can you show signs of wear you see on my teeth? What follow-up care is included to keep the guard fitting well? Do you accept private dental insurance like Denplan or Cigna for this treatment?

The cost of a custom occlusal splint at our private practice is typically between £300 and £500. This price includes the initial consultation, the 3D digital scan, fabrication of the guard, and the final fitting. There are no hidden fees. The exact cost depends on the guard design and complexity. As a private practice we do not offer this on the NHS. We do accept several plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We advise contacting your provider to confirm coverage for bruxism appliances.