Occlusal Guards – Sometimes called bite guards or night guards, occlusal guards are thin, custom-shaped guards that you can wear either on your top or bottom teeth. An occlusal guard protects your teeth from clenching and grinding by providing a shock absorber between the upper and lower teeth. This shock absorbing treatment reduces the pressure put on the jaw when clenching and grinding and therefore can reduce TMJ symptoms.
Splints – A splint is similar to a guard, but it is worn all the time. An orthodontic splint is designed to fit either on the upper or lower teeth. A splint’s job is to stabilize the teeth or jaw to alleviate discomfort.
Braces – Many times, TMJ is caused by misalignment of the teeth or bite. For this reason, braces are considered one of the most effective treatments for TMJ.
Multi-disciplinary treatment – TMJ issues can be complex, and our oral surgeons work with our orthodontists to create custom TMJ treatment plans for our patients. In addition to the TMJ treatments listed above, we may also include therapies such as muscle relaxants and physical therapy to help our patients reduce the pain of TMJ, preserve their teeth, and restore healthy function of the jaw.