Bruxism Treatment in Turkey: Night Guards and Other Options for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism treatment does not usually stop teeth grinding or jaw clenching altogether; instead, it protects your teeth and jaw muscles from the effects of that grinding and reduces the strain it places on them. The most common option is a custom-made night guard, also called an occlusal splint, worn while you sleep to cushion your teeth from the forces of grinding.

Grinding can happen during sleep, known as sleep bruxism, or while you are awake, known as awake bruxism, and the treatment your dentist recommends depends on which pattern applies to you and how much wear or damage has already occurred. For more on the causes and signs of grinding itself, see our teeth grinding (bruxism) page.

This page explains who a night guard suits, the other options your dentist may discuss, and what to expect if you have bruxism treatment alongside another treatment during your visit to Istanbul.

Aim: protect your teeth and jaw muscles from the effects of grinding and clenching, rather than curing the habit itself.

Main option: a custom-made night guard (occlusal splint), made to fit your own teeth and bite.

Other options: repair of already worn or broken teeth, botulinum toxin injections into the jaw muscle in selected cases, and advice on stress and sleep.

Anaesthesia: fitting a night guard does not need any anaesthetic; it is a comfortable, non-invasive process.

Bruxism treatment is considered whenever teeth grinding or jaw clenching is causing, or is likely to cause, wear, cracks or other damage to your teeth, or when it is linked to morning jaw pain, headaches or tired jaw muscles. Grinding itself is covered in full on our teeth grinding (bruxism) page, including its causes and the signs your dentist looks for; this page focuses on what can be done once grinding has been identified. Where grinding has already worn down, chipped or cracked your teeth, the repair options are explained on our broken or worn teeth page, and these are usually planned together with a night guard so the repaired teeth are protected going forward.

Anyone with signs of tooth wear from grinding. Flattened or chipped edges, cracked teeth or fillings, and increased sensitivity are common reasons to start with a night guard.

People with morning jaw pain or headaches. A night guard can reduce the load on the jaw muscles overnight where grinding is linked to waking discomfort.

Patients already having crowns, veneers or implants. Protecting new restorations from grinding forces is often planned alongside other treatment during your visit to Istanbul.

Patients considering an injectable option. Botulinum toxin injections into the jaw muscle may be discussed after assessment where grinding is linked to strong jaw muscle activity, alongside or instead of a night guard.

Assessment for bruxism treatment starts with a review of the wear pattern on your teeth, together with the general condition of your jaw muscles and jaw joint, and any crowns, veneers or implants already in place that may need protecting. Your dentist also asks about your sleep, stress levels, caffeine and alcohol intake, and any medicines you take, since several of these can contribute to grinding. Where grinding is severe or the cause is unclear, X-rays or photographs of the wear pattern may be used to plan treatment and to track any change over time.

A custom night guard is made from an exact record of your own teeth, so it fits closely and does not need adjusting by hand at home in the way a shop-bought mouthguard often does. The stages below show how a custom night guard is usually made and fitted.

With a well-fitted night guard worn consistently, the jaw muscles are often less tight in the morning, and further wear, chipping or cracking of the teeth tends to slow or stop. A night guard protects the teeth that are already there rather than reversing wear that has already happened, so teeth that are already flattened, chipped or cracked are usually repaired separately, as covered on our broken or worn teeth page. Where botulinum toxin injections are used, patients typically notice reduced muscle tension and less forceful clenching for a period before the effect gradually wears off.

A night guard protects your teeth and eases the load on your jaw muscles, but it does not remove the underlying cause of grinding, such as stress or a sleep problem, so grinding itself may continue even while your teeth are protected. Botulinum toxin injections are temporary and need to be repeated to keep the effect going, and they are not the right choice for every patient. Bruxism treatment also cannot undo damage that has already happened; teeth that are already worn, chipped or cracked are addressed with separate restorative treatment.

Your dentist explains the risks that apply to your own case, based on your wear pattern and general health, before you give your consent.

Bruxism treatment at Er Dental Clinic is assessed and planned by Dt. Vijdan Aslanoğlu, alongside our other general dentists. Your wear pattern, jaw muscles and any existing restorations are reviewed before a night guard, botulinum toxin injections or a combination of options is proposed, and your written treatment plan sets out which option is recommended and why. The clinic holds an International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate issued by the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Health (certificate no. ST-6264), which you can check on the e-Devlet document verification service at turkiye.gov.tr/saglik-bakanligi-ebys.

If bruxism treatment on its own is not the right fit, several other pages on our site cover related decisions. Where grinding has already damaged your teeth, our broken or worn teeth page explains the full range of repair options, from bonding to crowns. If you are not yet sure whether your symptoms are caused by grinding, our teeth grinding (bruxism) page covers the causes and signs in more detail, and a free online consultation lets our dentists give an initial view before you book anything.

Bruxism treatment is one of several general dental treatments offered at Er Dental Clinic, alongside care for the causes and effects of grinding. The pages below cover related treatments and further reading.

Alongside or instead of a night guard, your dentist may discuss other ways of managing bruxism depending on your wear pattern, your teeth and your general health.

Botulinum toxin injections. Injecting botulinum toxin into the masseter, the main jaw muscle used for chewing, can reduce the force of clenching and grinding for some patients. The effect is temporary and wears off over time, so the injections are usually repeated if you want to continue with this option; it is not suitable for everyone, and possible side effects such as temporary weakness when chewing or a change in facial appearance are explained before you decide, alongside the other options on this page.

Repairing worn or broken teeth. Where grinding has already flattened, chipped or cracked teeth, restorations such as crowns or onlays repair the damage and restore normal biting surfaces; the causes and full range of repair options are covered on our broken or worn teeth page.

Habit and sleep advice. Reducing caffeine and alcohol, general stress management and improving sleep habits are commonly suggested alongside a night guard, particularly where awake clenching or sleep problems are contributing to your grinding.

A custom night guard and botulinum toxin injections work in different ways, and the two are sometimes used together rather than as a straight either/or choice. The comparison below sets out three straightforward differences to discuss with your dentist.

Send us photos of your teeth for a free online consultation, and our dentists will give an initial view on whether a night guard, botulinum toxin injections or a combination would suit your case, together with a written treatment plan and a clear quote. You can also contact us directly with any questions before you decide to travel.