Bruxism

What Is Bruxism? (And Why You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth)

Do you ever wake up with a sore, tired jaw? Or maybe your partner has nudged you in the middle of the night because you were making sounds like you were grinding coffee beans with your teeth? That's bruxism—the medical term for the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding your teeth.

Here's the kicker: if you're reading this because you need a crown, there's a very good chance that bruxism is what got you here. It's an incredibly powerful habit that can wear down natural teeth and destroy dental work with surprising speed. Understanding and managing it is the key to ensuring your new crown lasts.

The Signs You're a Grinder (Even If You Don't Know It)

Because it often happens during sleep, most people are completely unaware they do it. However, the tell-tale signs are often there.

The Obvious Clues:

Waking up with jaw pain, muscle soreness, or a dull headache.
Teeth that look "flat" or shorter than they used to be.
A history of broken or cracked fillings, crowns, or teeth.
Your partner complains about the noise you make at night.

The Sneaky Signs Most People Miss:

A scalloped or ridged pattern on the sides of your tongue.
Ridged lines or calluses on the inside of your cheeks.
Generalized tooth sensitivity from worn-away enamel.
Persistent neck, shoulder, or ear pain without another clear cause.

The Brutal Truth: What Grinding Does to a Dental Crown

Let's be direct: grinding can destroy even the strongest dental work. The forces involved can exceed 250 pounds per square inch. Here's the reality of how bruxism affects a crown's lifespan:

A regular crown on a non-grinder: Can easily last 15-20+ years.
A regular crown on an untreated grinder: May fail in as little as 5 years, or even sooner.
A strong crown with a night guard on a grinder: Back to that 15-20+ year lifespan.

The math is simple. A custom night guard is an essential insurance policy to protect your investment in a new crown.

Your Crown Options as a Grinder

If you grind your teeth, we must choose a crown material that can take a beating. This is not the time for delicate, purely aesthetic materials.

BruxZir® / Solid Zirconia: This is the heavyweight champion. It's a solid, chip-proof ceramic that is practically indestructible, making it our number one choice for grinders, especially on back teeth.
Gold: The old-school solution still has merit. It's extremely durable and has a wear rate similar to natural teeth, making it kind to the opposing tooth. Its only drawback is the metallic appearance.

The Night Guard: Your Crown's Best Friend

We can place the strongest crown in the world on your tooth, but without a night guard, you’re basically taking a Ferrari off-roading every single night. A custom-fit, professionally made night guard is non-negotiable for anyone with bruxism who is investing in a crown. It cushions your teeth, distributes forces evenly, and protects both your new crown and your natural teeth from damage.

Here's what we want you to remember:

Bruxism is a powerful habit that can compromise even the best dental work. The key to a long-lasting crown for a grinder is a combination of choosing a durable material like Zirconia and committing to protecting that investment with a custom night guard.

Every patient's situation is unique.

Whether you're a daytime clencher or a nighttime grinder, we'll create a plan that works with your habits, not against them. From selecting the right crown material to designing a comfortable and effective night guard, our approach is tailored to protect your smile.

Worried about how grinding affects your teeth?

Or have you already broken dental work from grinding and need a solution you can trust? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.