The discomfort that stems from TMJ disorders can be disabling. With pain emanating from your temporomandibular joint, an exhausted jaw that refuses to function, and suddenly difficult daily activities, you’ll feel incredibly frustrated. Fortunately, not every TMJ treatment needs to be complicated. Simple mouth guards have proven incredibly effective in treatment of the physical problems that lead to TMJ pain. Different types of splints will tackle varying problems, so that you experience relief no matter the issue.
How A TMJ Splint Works
The damaging habits that lead to physical problems with the jaw joint must be controlled. TMJ splints aim to do just that by limiting harmful movements. What are harmful movements, exactly? In general, harmful movements are those that cause the joint to become aggravated or overworked, with grinding and clenching being particularly harmful. A TMJ splint prevents the lower jaw from moving in any number of ways, to preserve the teeth and the jaw joint.
Types of TMJ Guards
Depending on the cause of your TMJ disorder, we’ll recommend one of the following mouth guards, or TMJ splints:
- Flat plane splint – This fits over the upper teeth to prevent the lower jaw from making harmful contact. The splint resists grinding and clenching.
- Modified Hawley splint – The Hawley guard prevents the back teeth from touching one another, reducing the chance of clenching and the amount of pressure put on the jaw.
- NTI appliance – The NTI device fits onto the upper front teeth, preventing the upper and lower jaws from connecting.
- Repositioning splint – This mouth guard pulls the lower jaw into a slightly different position, encouraging healthy jaw movements and a proper relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
Your TMJ guard will be custom-made to fit your teeth. We will take impressions of your upper and lower jaws and fabricate the guards to match them perfectly. You will feel comfortable sleeping in the guards, and they will seem to be a natural part of your mouth. If you’re ready to get a TMJ splint and end the pain, please contact our Denver office!