TMJ Appliances: Exploring Your Options

Jaw pain and stiffness, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, and clicking noises when you chew food are all symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This is caused by a dysfunction in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which controls jaw movements. TMDs can make simple facial movements, such as smiling, talking, and chewing, painful. At Ridgewood Dentistry in Ridgewood, New Jersey, we offer solutions to TMJ pain through TMJ oral appliances. After evaluating your condition, Dr. Warren Boardman can guide you to the appliance best suited for your needs.

TMJ Appliance Options

Symptoms of TMJ disorders can vary from person to person. Generally, people with this condition can experience jaw pain and stiffness, severe headaches, tinnitus, restricted jaw mobility, or clicking sounds when chewing. Some people experience minor TMJ symptoms that come and go quickly, while others suffer from chronic TMJ pain and discomfort that disrupts their lives. Bruxism or teeth clenching at night can worsen TMJ symptoms, leading to sleep disturbances. TMJ oral appliances can help ease your symptoms so you can get the rest you need.

Below are some types of TMJ appliances available to help alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms:

• TMJ Splints

TMJ splints, or occlusal night guards, are custom-made dental appliances worn at night to manage TMJ symptoms. When worn, they align your jaw properly to reduce muscle tension, stiffness, and pain. An occlusal night guard will keep your jaw from clenching at night and prevent teeth grinding while you sleep, so bruxism doesn’t contribute to symptoms of TMJ disorder. Dr. Boardman will customize your occlusal night guard to meet your specific needs.

• NTI Night Guard

NTI night guards function like TMJ splints but are smaller and worn over the front teeth. The appliance protects your teeth from nighttime bruxism, jaw clenching, muscle tension, and pain associated with TMJ disorders. Due to their smaller size, many people find these night guards less intrusive and more comfortable. They offer an alternative to TMJ splints in managing TMJ symptoms so you can sleep better at night.

• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)

MADs are compact, removable dental appliances that address TMJ pain and sleep apnea. If you suffer from both conditions, you’ll find this device the perfect solution to improving your sleep.

When worn, this device shifts your mandible (lower jaw) forward as you sleep to relieve pressure from the muscles, ligaments, and joints in your jaw. As your muscles relax, you’ll feel less pain. Dr. Boardman can adjust your device to place your jaw in a position that provides optimal jaw pain relief.

TMJ Pain Relief Near Me

To learn more about TMJ oral appliances and how they can help you, contact Dr. Boardman from Ridgewood Dentistry in Ridgewood, NJ, at (201) 448-8605.

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