Have you been waking up with a dull ache around your jaw? Or maybe your partner has mentioned that you grind your teeth at night, even though you have no memory of it. These are classic signs of problems with your jaw joints, and ignoring them tends to make things worse. Our experienced dentists at Dental Care of Madison may recommend a custom TMJ splint to relieve your jaw pain and prevent the damaging effects of teeth grinding.
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are the joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. You have one on each side of your face, right in front of your ears. These joints are responsible for just about every movement your mouth makes, including chewing, talking, and yawning. When they function well, you probably never think about them. However, when something goes wrong with them, they can significantly impact your smile and overall quality of life.
But what are TMJ disorders? TMJ disorders, also known as TMD, are problems that affect the joints as well as the surrounding muscles and connective tissues. They can develop due to a number of reasons, including stress, a misaligned bite, trauma to the jaw, or habitual teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism.
Bruxism can cause significant damage to your teeth and your overall health over time. Many people grind and clench their teeth during sleep, so they don't even realize it's happening until they notice symptoms or until their dentist spots wear patterns during a routine exam.
The forces generated by grinding can be significantly greater than the forces of normal chewing. Unmanaged bruxism can lead to many complications, including uneven tooth wear, chips, or fractures, damage to your restorations, gum recession and sensitivity, and jaw pain. It can also lead to tension headaches, facial pain, sleep disruptions, and daytime fatigue. Addressing bruxism with a custom TMJ splint can help enhance your smile and your quality of life.
The following are some of the most common signs of TMJ disorders:
If any of these sound familiar, contact our team at Dental Care of Madison to schedule a consultation. Many of our patients are surprised when they realize how interconnected their TMJ health is with their oral health and daily comfort.
A TMJ splint is a custom oral appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth like a mouthguard, providing cushioning and creating a protective barrier. This helps take pressure off your jaw joints and teeth, safeguarding them and helping your surrounding muscles relax.
At Dental Care of Madison, we custom-craft your TMJ splints from digital scans of your teeth for a precise and comfortable fit. We offer various types of TMJ splints, depending on your unique needs. Some are designed primarily for protection against nighttime grinding and clenching, while others can be worn during the day to help safeguard your smile if you grind or clench your teeth while awake. Our dentists will evaluate your bite, jaw function, and symptoms, and recommend the splint that's right for you to provide the most effective relief for your symptoms.
The TMJ splint process is straightforward. Our dentists at Dental Care of Madison will examine your teeth, evaluate your bite, and discuss your symptoms in detail. If a custom TMJ splint is right for you, we will use a digital intraoral scanner to capture precise images of your teeth and bite, eliminating the need for messy putty impressions. Skilled lab technicians will use this information to custom-fabricate your TMJ splint to the specifications of your smile.
When your TMJ splint is ready, we will check its fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your comfort and optimal protection for your smile.
Consistency in wearing your TMJ splint is key to providing you with the relief you need. While it may feel a little awkward at first, most patients get used to wearing their protective oral appliance within a few days. Some notice relief relatively quickly, while others find it takes a little longer as the jaw muscles begin to relax and settle. We encourage you to keep up with your follow-up visits to allow us to monitor your treatment progress and make adjustments as necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact our team for guidance.
If you have been waking up with jaw pain, grinding your teeth, or dealing with tension headaches, contact Dental Care of Madison to schedule a consultation. Our experienced dentists and team may recommend a custom TMJ splint to provide some relief and safeguard your smile. Call us at (601) 898-9390 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!
Proudly serving patients in Madison, Gluckstadt, Ridgeland, Canton, and the surrounding communities.
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