Can surgery treat bruxism?

If you grind your teeth enough it's possible that you will need dental surgery. However, surgery itself will not solve your tooth grinding problem. Teeth grinding can be caused by many things: stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, and teeth that are missing or crooked. To manage the grinding, your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep. In some cases, your dentist or physician may recommend taking a muscle relaxant before bedtime. If stress is the cause you need to find a way to relax. Meditation, counseling and exercise can all help reduce stress and anxiety.

Surgery is a treatment for more severe bruxism, and many people with bruxism will not need surgery. Crowns, inlays, and prostheses are sometimes used to correct the way the teeth fit together and to reshape worn teeth. Sometimes, further restorative surgery may be needed after more grinding and clenching occurs over time, destroying the overlays or crowns.