Powerful solution against grinding and squeezing: Night Plaque!
Night plates are special appliances designed to protect the teeth of patients with teeth clenching and grinding complaints while sleeping at night. This appliance, which reduces head and neck pain and prevents tooth wear, is used to protect the health of the teeth and jaw joint. Night plates, which offer personalised solutions with various types, provide an ideal treatment especially for those who experience grinding and clenching problems. As AuraDent Aesthetic Clinic, we offer tailor-made solutions for you with our specialists in night aligner treatment.
Night Plate: Solution to Tooth Tightening
What is a Night Plaque?
Night plates are special appliances prepared for patients with clenching complaints to wear while sleeping at night. These appliances are usually applied to the upper jaw. Clenching and grinding of teeth during sleep causes wear on the teeth and tension-type pain in the head and neck area. Night plaque is used to protect the teeth and to prevent abrasion. This treatment should additionally be supported by masseter botox (clenching botox).
In which cases is night plaque applied?
Situations in which the use of night plaque is necessary:
- Wear on teeth due to grinding
- Watching TV or reading during the day and noticing that your teeth are in contact
- People who suffer from teeth grinding during stressful periods
- Head and neck pain when waking up
What are the Benefits of a Night Plaque?
- Prevents damage to the teeth.
- Reduces temporomandibular joint complaints.
- It supports adequate blood supply to the tissues by reducing the tension in the masticatory muscles.
- Increases sleep comfort thus reduces stress
Combining Night Plaque with Masseter Botox
Night plaque treatment can be significantly enhanced when combined with masseter botox. The two treatments complement each other to address both the root cause and the effects of teeth clenching and grinding:
- Short-Term Effects: Masseter botox quickly relaxes the overactive chewing muscles, reducing clenching and grinding activity. This helps alleviate tension-related headaches and jaw discomfort, offering immediate relief to patients.
- Long-Term Effects: Regular use of a night plaque prevents further tooth wear and protects the dental structure. Meanwhile, repeated masseter botox treatments over time can retrain the chewing muscles to adopt a less tense state, reducing the intensity and frequency of clenching episodes. Together, these treatments ensure long-lasting protection for teeth and improved quality of life.
This combination approach also helps manage associated issues such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and stress-induced jaw pain, making it a holistic solution for bruxism-related problems.
How to apply night plaque
The night plate is applied in the evening after eating and drinking has finished and oral care has been performed. It is recommended to wear this appliance during the day in patients who clench their teeth while awake.
Frequently Asked Questions
1Does night plaque affect sleep patterns?
Night aligners generally have a positive effect on sleep patterns because they reduce the discomfort caused by teeth clenching and grinding. Sleep interruptions due to head and neck pain are reduced and patients experience a better quality of sleep. Initially, it may feel like a foreign body in the mouth, but most patients get used to it in a short time. Especially in people who clench their teeth at night and wake up tired from sleep, a more vigorous and comfortable awakening can be achieved with a night plaque.
2How many hours a day should the night plaque be used?
Night plasters are usually used during sleep and it is sufficient to keep them in the mouth for 7-8 hours on average. If some patients have the habit of clenching during the day, the dentist may recommend use during the day. Especially in cases of intense clenching, use for a few hours during daytime hours may be recommended. The duration can be adjusted according to the physician's advice, but overnight use provides the most ideal effect.
3Who can use the night plaque?
Night aligners are generally recommended for people who suffer from teeth clenching and grinding. It is ideal for people who experience head and neck pain, have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems or notice wear on their teeth. People whose teeth clenching habit increases during stressful periods or who wake up tired from sleep can also use night plates. It also provides a suitable solution for patients with jaw joint problems or tooth sensitivity.
4Is the night plaque suitable for children?
Although night plates are generally used in adults, they can be used in children with the approval of a physician if they have teeth grinding problems. If a night plate is to be used for children, a specially prepared plate suitable for tooth structure and jaw development is preferred. The effect of night plates used in children is designed to support the development of teeth and jaw structure. However, its use in children must be done on the recommendation of a specialized dentist.
5Can the night plaque be broken?
Yes, the night plaque can break if it is not handled properly or if it is hit, e.g. by a fall. In particular, scrubbing too hard or using boiling water when cleaning the plate can damage it. To protect the night plaque, a soft brush should be preferred when cleaning and the plaque should not be exposed to hot water. In case of breakage, it is advisable to take the aligner to the dentist and, if necessary, replace it with a new one.
6Do I have trouble breathing when I use a night-time plaque?
No, night plasters do not interfere with breathing. The aligner is made to fit over the teeth to prevent jaw and teeth clenching problems. It does not affect the breathing function in the mouth, so there are no breathing problems during the use of night plaque. However, the first time the aligners are used, there may be a slight feeling of fullness in the mouth, but this soon disappears.
7Does night plaque cause tooth mobility?
Night plaque does not cause any movement of the teeth. On the contrary, it protects the teeth and prevents wear and damage. Since the aligner protects the teeth from the effect of clenching and grinding, it maintains the current position of the teeth. It provides the stability of the teeth by preventing the abrasion that may occur in the teeth after long-term use in people with teeth clenching problems. When used correctly, the aligner does not affect the tooth structure.
8Is it necessary to clean the night plaque more than once a day?
It is sufficient to clean the night tray after each use. It is best to remove the overnight tray in the morning, clean it with a soft toothbrush and liquid soap and store it in its box. If it is also used during the day, cleaning is recommended after each use. Bacteria may accumulate in uncleaned plaques, therefore care must be taken to clean the plaque.
9Can you eat with a night plaque?
It is not recommended to eat with the night plate in place. The aligner can be damaged by chewing movements during meals and food residues can also accumulate in the aligner. Therefore, it is best to remove the night plaque during meals and then clean and reinsert it. It is also easier to maintain oral hygiene by removing plaque during meals.
10 How long does a night plaque last?
The lifespan of the night plaque varies depending on the frequency of use and cleaning. It can usually be used for 1-2 years. However, if deformation or discolouration of the aligner is observed, the dentist should be consulted and a new one should be obtained. When the plaque is regularly maintained and stored under appropriate conditions, it maintains its durability for a long time. Your dentist will give you more detailed information about the lifetime of the aligner.
11What are the types of night plaque?
There are different types of night appliances: A night plate made of a transparent plate, a stabilisation splint used to create distance between the jaw joint and its components, and a snoring appliance that opens the airway by positioning the lower jaw forward for patients with snoring or sleep apnoea.
12How is night plaque removal performed?
After the night plaque is removed from the mouth, it should be cleaned with a brush and toothpaste and placed in its box. The plaque should not be wrapped in a napkin; otherwise it may be mistaken for rubbish and thrown away. The teeth should be brushed before the aligner is fitted and the aligner should be placed on clean teeth.
13Is there any harm from night plaque?
No, there is no harm in using a plaque at night.
14what are the reviews of those who use night plaque?
Patients who use night plates report reduced tooth sensitivity, more vigour and no head and neck pain when they wake up.
Dr. Ayşenur Kayımbaşıoğlu
Dr. Ayşenur Kayımbaşıoğlu, Cosmetic Dentist, DDS, Cosmetologist, is a skilled Cosmetic Dentist and the Clinic Director of AuraDent Aesthetic Clinic in Nicosia. With a strong background in dental and facial aesthetics, she is dedicated to delivering natural, confident smiles through personalized treatment plans. Known for her gentle approach and attention to detail, Dr. Kayımbaşıoğlu combines advanced techniques with a passion for aesthetic harmony.
