I recently developed a case of Bruxism (grinding/clenching teeth while I sleep), which gave me awful headaches and neck and shoulder pains. So my dentist molded one of these NTI things for me to wear at night. It's basically a little plastic thing that fits over my two top front teeth and make it so my top and bottom teeth can't touch.
So it's been 3 weeks since I started wearing this thing. At first I thought it was working wonders because my headaches and shoulder/neck pains immediately stopped. But now I've developed these little sores in my mouth -- on my upper pallet and inside my top and bottom lips. It also burns when I brush my teeth or have a smoke (another reason to stop smoking, I know).
So I'm wondering if anyone else wears or has ever worn one of these things and has noticed something similar happen because of it (or any other side-effects, etc.)?
My dentist looked in my mouth yesterday and said she couldn't see anything abnormal, but I'm quite certain the little cuts that I feel with my tongue must be from this -- otherwise it's just a strange coincidence. I did eat quite a bit of pineapple a week and half ago, but I've never had problems from pineapple before (I know some people get mouth sores from it).
I haven't worn it in the past 2 nights, thinking maybe my mouth would heal, but it doesn't seem to be feeling any better yet.
This is a NTI guard. It is a small piece for the front teeth, so u wont aply presure in ur back teeth, causing tension in the jaw when you hold your mouth tightly in the same position.
I actually got that. If it hurts you, your dentist didn't do it properly (sorry, s/he won't like hearing it but it is so). The bits that hurt can be taken off but of course only if dentist is alert enough to realize the patient is the king/queen and the one who knows best whether it hurts or not.
It was helpful. But to be honest, quitting my job was more effective, never used it again
There are several theories and types of night guards available. NTI is just one of them. Not all dentists follow this technique.
=>The Nociceptive trigeminal inhibition tension suppression system (abbreviated to NTI-TSS, or NTI-tension suppression system), is a type of occlusal splint that is claimed to prevent headache and migraine by reducing sleep bruxism (night-time tooth clenching and grinding).
I can not imagine this is a good solution. If you really want to bite, you will bite on that front thing - which then puts far too much pressure on your front teeth which are weaker than your molars.
addition: The picture didn't show in the quote. But I guess it's clear which one I meant.
Not all dentists are equally trained, in regards to bruxism, though most all can take an impression, send it to a laboratory and receive a custom made appliance. Yet, it is the knowledge behind it, which counts for extreme cases.
In USA, there is a specialized training called Dawson. It is pretty famous and some patients fly, from around the world, to get treated there. If a dentist is DAWSON trained, it is respected. Well, as I knew in USA...could have changed..
Bruxism can be a incapacitating problem for some people. There is no one solution fits all, but a knowledgeable and compassionate dentist is worth their weight in gold, if you suffer from this.
Yet, I also know it has become an industry, which can give reason for skepticism.
I'll try to write more later... The Böogiman? Has cancelled my husband's bus just now. :-)
For people who grind their teeth and therefore reduce their teeth both rows of teeth need one. The friction will be then between the plastic, not between the teeth.