Sleep Clench Inhibitor (SCi) & Bruxism

The SCi is a custom-made type of guard that reduces the intensity of the pressure applied to your teeth and jawbone when you clench your teeth in your sleep.

It acts as a soft, mouth guard hybrid that protects your teeth. This not only reduces the contact between your teeth but protects any restorative work you may have on your posterior and canine teeth. This can also then protect from further tooth damage and alleviate any oral discomfort you may experience.

The SCi takes between 10-15 minutes to be fitted. Generally, once the Sleep appliance is fitted, the dentist will ask you to test how it feels once placed, to check its stability and you can test that by trying to move it with your tongue. If it can’t be shifted or moved easily then you’re good to go. If it can on the other hand be shifted easily, readjustment may be required.

Overtime, tooth grinding can cause wear and tear that opens your teeth up to problems like decay and erosion. More serious cases of tooth wear can even cause problems with your jaw joint, causing jaw, head, and ear pain as a result.

It depends on how often they are used, how well they are taken care of and if stored properly when not in use. The life-span can also depend on how much you brux (clench or grind) your teeth. Dentists may recommend anything between 1-3 years, however if you maintain regular appointments, you can always check with your dentist if its time for a replacement if you notice any changes in the fit or shape over time.

Some patients say they have instant overnight relief, other patients have provided feedback that it can take a week or so before noticing significant improvement.

It really depends on the symptoms and diagnosis which will be provided after the completion of the comprehensive assessment.

For standard processing time, our lab takes approximately 7-10 working days from receipt of the impressions taken.

However, our practice also offers an expediated service, please enquire within if you need it sooner.

Often patients who grind at night time (Sleep bruxism) aren’t aware they are doing this, however it’s very common and don’t worry we’re here to help. Grinding at night can be associated with many factors such as; anxiety, stress which can later cause migraines or tension headaches. However, they can be relieved using bruxism appliances (otherwise known as night guards) such as the SCi.

When you are awake it’s at least easier to track and rectify this compared to when asleep. If you are conscious of your teeth grinding activity, you may find it useful to note down in a diary, or on your “notes” on your phone, how often you grind your teeth every day. You may find it helpful to track when you grind your teeth, (for example if certain stressful work meetings trigger this activity).

Once you become more aware of your teeth grinding habits, it will be easier to break these habits or doing facial exercise techniques to help you slowly reduce this habit. Consult your dentist who can advise you of certain techniques and if they feel you may need further assistance, they may advise you to consult your GP.

Sometimes patients who have bruxism are also affected by snoring, this can hint to sleep apnea, which is a common sleeping disorder that effectively narrows the walls in your throat. This can lead to interrupted sleep patterns, causing you to snore, which can also affect the quality of your sleep. A more serious type of sleep apnoea is obstructive sleep apnoea.

This can cause gasping or choking noises when you sleep, louder snoring and can lead to tiredness and lethargy during the day. If you feel like may suffer from sleep aponea please advise us of this when booking, a member of our team will arrange a consultation if you are interested in pursuing treatment. Sleep apnoea is usually treated with a special type of mask that is worn when you’re sleeping (CPAP machine).

We have a number of solutions for building up worn teeth, such as composite bonding (a minimally-invasive treatment), as well as crowns, and veneers. Even if your teeth are severely worn, don’t worry, as we can always find a solution to restore them.

Please see our fee guide to view detailed costs of SCI and Sleep appliances treatment on offer at Olive Tree Dental.

As an initial indication, please see the prices below:

• SCi (Sleep Clench Inhibitor) – £595
• Grinding / Wear Cases – From £595
• Masseter Toxin Injection – From £350
• TMJ (appliance required) – From £550
• Anti-snore Device – From £550

We believe everyone should have access to successful and effective dental treatments

That’s why we offer 0% finance* to help you spread the cost of treatment.

As we are a member-based practice, we reward patients who prioritise their oral health and hygiene, by offering 10% off treatments, when you become an Olive Tree Dental member, and selecting one of our many affordable plans.

Our prices are set with the following in mind:

• The high quality of the products and technology used.
• The extensive skill of our dental professionals and clinical team.
• The trusted labs we work with to create outstanding dental restorations.
• The high standard of care that is delivered throughout the patient journey.
• The types of treatments that are made available.
• We cannot comment on what other practices in Reading offer, each practice is different, but we value the trust our patients place in our hands. Rest assured at Olive Tree Dental we treat our patients with the utmost care and our aim is to have you smiling confidently.

*Terms and conditions apply. Written quotations are available on request from Wesleyan Bank Limited.
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