Stop Teeth Wear from Grinding Today with Custom-made Nightguards

It’s very common for people to grind or clench their teeth. This dental condition, known as bruxism, typically doesn’t lead to any significant health problems. However, if you grind your teeth regularly, it can cause significant irreversible damage to your natural teeth, which can cause oral health complications.

At Alpine Family Dental, we offer effective treatments to address this issue and prevent further damage to your natural smile. If you suspect you may have bruxism, all you need is a short visit to Alpine Family Dental, where Dr. Evan Olson will take a digital impression of your mouth to help create a custom nightguard for teeth grinding that can help prevent damage to your teeth.

Understanding Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can be triggered by stress or anxiety and frequently happens during sleep. Oftentimes, it can be linked to an irregular bite, crooked or missing teeth, neck issues, medication side effects, or even sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea. As bruxism typically occurs while sleeping, many individuals are unaware they’re grinding their teeth.

Waking up with a persistent, dull headache or a sore jaw can be a tell-tale sign of bruxism. In many instances, loved ones notice teeth grinding at night and bring it to the person’s attention. If you think you might be grinding your teeth, consult Dr. Olson, who can check for symptoms like jaw tenderness and excessive tooth wear.

Left untreated, chronic teeth grinding can lead to fractured or loosened teeth which may lead to tooth loss. Grinding can wear teeth down, leaving minimal tooth structure, necessitating dental treatments such as crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, and partial or complete dentures. Severe grinding damages teeth and can also affect your jaws, exacerbate or cause TMD/TMJ issues, and even alter your facial appearance. Thankfully a custom nightguard for clenching and grinding can help.

Not Your Average Dental OfficeAt Alpine Family Dentistry, our patients deserve more than cold, impersonal dental service. We believe in a culture of dental care based on cherished small-town values such as lovecompassion, and going the extra mile for our patients—call (406) 393-8877 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Olson.

Dr. Evan Olson, D. ABDSM, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a dentist. He completed his degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Montana State University in Bozeman and then attended The University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Dr. Olson then practiced in a Community Health setting for five years treating all types of dental emergencies. He then ran a private practice in Central Oregon for seven years before moving back to Montana to take over Alpine Family Dental.

Dr. Olson was recently named a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, which signifies extensive training and knowledge in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea and snoring. He is a Fellow of The Implant Pathway Surgical Program, a Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Academy of General Dentistry, and a Mentor for the CEREC Doctors training program. He has completed significant continuing education in many areas of dentistry including with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Mastery Program, training on dental implants at Implant Pathway, Misch Institute, and Pikos Institute, an internship on root canals at the University of Iowa, cosmetic dentistry courses at CDOCS and Spear Education, and further studies on infant frenectomy and CAD/CAM techniques.

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Dr. Autumn Chapman received her degree in physiology from the University of Wyoming and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. She worked alongside her grandfather, Dr. Gerald Olson, in Havre, MT, before moving to Flathead Valley. Dr Chapman has been able to focus on education and training in facial esthetics and cosmetic dentistry. She has Training in orthodontics using suresmile clear aligners with CDOCs in Scottsdale and Training in Botox and filler with the american academy of facial esthetics.

Dr. Greg Eller obtained his degree in Aeronautical Maintenance and spent six years as a Skydiving Instructor. He then attended the University of Oregon where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in Pre-Medicine and the Oregon Health Sciences University Dental School. He is a member of the American Dental Association and Montana Dental Association and has IV moderate sedation training. After 14 years at Alpine Family Dental, Dr. Eller has now transitioned out of full-time practice.

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