Bruxism & jaw disorders
Clenched teeth and a tired jaw: the first step is understanding the cause.
Gnathology is the branch of dentistry concerned with the balance between the teeth, the chewing muscles and the jaw joints (the temporomandibular joints). An incorrect bite or overloaded muscles can create tension that spreads, in a chain reaction, all the way down the spine.
Book online
What gnathology is and how we can help
At our practices we take a comprehensive approach to craniocervical-mandibular dysfunction:
- Thorough clinical and functional assessment: we evaluate how you chew, the wear facets on your teeth and how your muscles respond.
- Custom-made occlusal splints: we make bespoke orthotic appliances to relax overworked muscles, protect the teeth and guide the jaw joint back to a comfortable, physiological resting position.
- Integrated treatment plans.
Awake and sleep bruxism: clenching or grinding your teeth
Clenching means pressing the teeth together; grinding means rubbing them against each other. Bruxism can occur while awake or asleep, sometimes without the person realising it. If you notice jaw tension, sensitivity or changes in your teeth, you can discuss them with your dentist. An assessment helps identify which signs need attention.
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Recurring tension headaches, particularly on waking.
- Tension or pain in the neck, shoulders or back.
- Clicking, popping or grating noises when you open your mouth or chew.
- Clenching or grinding your teeth at night or when you are under stress.
- A feeling of blocked ears, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or dizziness with no ear, nose and throat cause.
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or a jaw that locks.
A gnathological assessment pinpoints the cause of your symptoms and establishes, case by case, whether treatment is needed and what form it should take.
What happens during the appointment?
The consultation covers your symptoms, when they occur, your habits and your sleep. The examination considers your teeth, muscles and jaw movements. Further investigations are considered according to the clinical findings.
Assessments are provided by Dr Miriam Cocchi in Lugano.
A care plan based on the assessment
Advice depends on the symptoms and any damage present. It may include greater awareness of daytime clenching, protecting the teeth and, when needed, involving other healthcare professionals. Not every case requires an appliance.
Frequently asked questions
Worn teeth: is it always bruxism?
Tooth wear can be a sign of grinding, but on its own it does not establish the cause or show whether bruxism is still active. The dentist assesses the appearance of your teeth alongside your history and symptoms. Sensitivity, chips or gradual changes are also worth mentioning.
Pain in the jaw or near the ear: who should I see?
The chewing muscles and jaw joint may be involved, but pain in this area can have other causes. An assessment helps guide further investigations. It is useful to describe when the pain occurs, whether chewing makes it worse and whether you have difficulty opening your mouth or episodes of locking.
Dental splints and night guards: what are they for?
When indicated, a dental splint can protect teeth from wear. Choosing and using the appliance requires an assessment: not everyone needs one, and it is not a guaranteed cure for bruxism. Any benefit for muscle or joint pain needs to be reviewed over time. If an appliance causes pain, stop using it and speak to your dentist.
Stress and bruxism: is there a connection?
Stress can contribute, alongside other factors. Noticing that you clench your teeth during the day is useful information to share at your appointment. The assessment considers habits, symptoms and general health, without automatically attributing every problem to stress.
What if my sleep is not refreshing?
It is helpful to mention this during your appointment. Loud snoring, observed breathing pauses or pronounced daytime sleepiness also warrant a discussion with your doctor. A bruxism splint does not replace assessment for a possible sleep-related breathing disorder.
Is a gnathological assessment covered by Swiss health insurance?
Partly. Basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG) does not cover dental treatment as such, but disorders of the jaw joints and chewing muscles are classed as medical care: the assessment and any follow-up appointments can therefore usually be billed to your health insurer at the LAMal tariff. A custom-made splint, and the appointments needed to make and adjust it, are as a rule paid by the patient or by supplementary dental cover. There are two exceptions: the joint conditions listed in the federal ordinance (arthrosis, ankylosis, dislocation of the condyle or disc), where the treatment itself can be claimed from the insurer once a treatment proposal has been submitted in advance, and problems caused by an accident, which fall under accident insurance. Before we begin, we explain what will be billed to your insurer and what remains at your expense.
Book in Lugano
Online booking is available at our Lugano practice; the reception team can also be reached by phone or WhatsApp. It helps to mention whether your visit concerns clenched teeth, tooth wear or jaw discomfort.
Clinical sources
Information based on patient resources from NIDCR and the NHS. Consulted on 13 September 2026.