Splints
Excessive clenching or grinding of teeth that is not part of normal chewing is known as bruxism.
This is a habit (more prevalent during sleep) that can lead to accelerated wear and fracture of teeth and can also result in pain in the jaw joints and muscles of the jaw. A common treatment is the use of an occlusal splint (sometimes referred to as a night guard) which markedly reduces the amount of grinding and clenching and also serves to protect the teeth from further damage. If excessive tooth structure is lost due to bruxism, the teeth may become sensitive and painful, so prevention of the consequences of bruxism is much preferred instead of dealing with the issues after the damage has been done.