TMJ, Jaw Clenching & Teeth Grinding in Richmond, BC

Signs you may be clenching or grinding your teeth

Most grinding happens during sleep, so many people only find out when a partner hears it or a dentist spots the wear. Common signs:

• A sore or tired jaw in the morning, sometimes on one side only.
• Headaches around the temples when you wake up.
• Worn, flat or chipped teeth, or teeth that have become more sensitive.
• Fillings or crowns that keep cracking or coming loose.
• Clicking, popping or stiffness when you open wide or chew.
• Someone hears you grinding at night.

Clenching during the day counts too. If you catch your teeth pressed together while you concentrate, drive or look at a screen, mention it at your visit.

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, the hinge just in front of each ear that lets your jaw open, close and move from side to side. People often say "TMJ" when they mean pain or tension in that joint or in the chewing muscles around it (the medical term is TMD, temporomandibular disorder). Clenching and grinding are common reasons those muscles get sore, but they are not the only one, which is why we look first and recommend second.

How does a nightguard help with teeth grinding?

A nightguard is a thin guard you wear over your teeth while you sleep. It does not stop your jaw from clenching, but it takes the force and the wear instead of your enamel, fillings and crowns, protecting your dental work and natural teeth from clenching damage.

• It protects dental work. If grinding is what cracked a tooth, a new crown without a nightguard is just a more expensive version of the same problem, so we deal with the cause. More on fillings, crowns and nightguards.
• Before veneers or crowns. Heavy grinding needs to be addressed before porcelain is placed, or it can chip. See porcelain veneers in Richmond.
• Looking after it. Bring your nightguard to your regular checkups and cleanings so we can check the fit and how much it is wearing.

Other ways we can help with jaw clenching

A nightguard is not the only answer. Depending on what we find, your plan can include a small bite adjustment, repairing worn or cracked teeth, or simply watching for changes at your checkups. Small day-to-day habits help many people too: notice when you clench, and let your jaw rest with your lips together and your teeth slightly apart.

How much does a nightguard cost in Richmond?

We do not post a price list because the fee depends on what you need. Every fee at DTC follows the BC Dental Association fee guide with no markup, and you get a written estimate before treatment.

• Insurance: we bill most major insurance plans directly. Coverage for nightguards varies from plan to plan, so we show you what your plan is expected to cover before you decide.
• CDCP: we accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan and bill it directly. Before treatment we tell you what CDCP is expected to cover and whether anything is left for you to pay. How CDCP works at DTC.
• No insurance: you pay the same BCDA fee guide rates as everyone else, with no hidden markups. How our fees work.