TMJ Mouthguards
Charleston, WV
At Revive Dental and Implant Center, we want you as informed as possible about the conditions and problems that can negatively affect your dental health. We are trained to help you with periodontal disease, tooth realignment, and any oral disorder you might be currently enduring. One area of your mouth that can be especially prone to problems is known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If you cannot move your jaw without experiencing some degree of pain, then you might suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). By talking with and scheduling an appointment with us, we can help you to overcome this unique condition through a combination of treatment and the use of a mouthguard.
What Is The Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joint is the complex bone that serves as a connection between your upper and lower jaw. We find it by looking to the front of the lower part of your ear, and the joint is distinct in how intricate it is, as it is responsible for moving your jaw forwards, backwards, and side-to-side. If your TMJ fails to work the way it should, then you will experience ongoing pain near your ears and in your jaw. If left unattended and without treatment, this pain can develop into TMD, which causes more intense problems with your facial muscles and jaw.
Treating Your TMJ
There are a variety of treatments we can employ to help reduce the intensity of pain coming from your TMJ. Muscle relaxants such as anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin can be effective tools for stopping unwanted muscle spasms and jaw pain. An orthodontic appliance like a bite plate or splint can serve to keep your teeth from grinding at night. Relaxation techniques are also known to lessen the consistent muscle tension in and around your jaw. If none of these treatments seem to help, then we can talk about jaw joint surgery to deal decisively with the problem.
Use Of Mouthguards
Your teeth are not meant to withstand the force that tooth grinding can cause, and one of the best ways to stop any such strain on your TMJ is by consistently using a professionally made mouthguard. We can create a mold of your mouth that is then sent to a laboratory to craft a perfectly fitting mouthguard customized to suit your needs. Worn every night when you sleep, this plastic appliance will make sure that your teeth do not grind against each other and cause additional stress on your TMJ. By doing this, you stop your TMJ from getting worse and also prevent damage to your teeth in the process. We will routinely check in with you to make sure that the mouthguard is working properly and that your needs are being met.
Mouthguards are effective tools for keeping your teeth and enamel-safe from damage while your TMJ heals. If your jaw or TMJ hurt and you believe that a mouthguard could be the right choice for you, call us today at (304) 467-4265. |
