4 Treatments for TMJ You Can Get at the Dentist’s Office

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction can significantly interfere with your quality of life by causing pain, limited jaw movement, and stiffness in the jaw, neck, and face. Drs. Gin Goei of Huntington Dental Excellence in South Pasadena specialize in diagnosing and treating temporomandibular disorders with customized oral appliances or orthotic technology.

Continue reading to learn more about dental-oriented methods that relieve TMJ pain without surgical intervention or other invasive procedures.

4 Treatments for Temporomandibular Disorders You Can Get at the Dentist’s Office

Nightguards/Mouthguards

People who grind their teeth while sleeping put stress on their jaw joints and muscles by clenching the jaw, worsening TMJ pain and stiffness. Custom-made mouthguards may help relieve TMJ disorder symptoms by placing a barrier between the lower and upper teeth. This barrier stops teeth from grinding together and reduces the clenching forces that strain the jaw muscles and joints.

Creating custom-fitted mouthguards involves several steps. First, a scan of your teeth is taken, and your bite alignment is evaluated. This information is then sent to a dental laboratory. Once the technicians have crafted the customized mouthguard, we will make adjustments to ensure it fits your mouth’s dimensions perfectly, enhancing both effectiveness and comfort.

Occlusal Adjustments

In some cases of temporomandibular disorders, dentists may relieve TMJ pain by improving tooth alignment to reduce stress on the jaw joint. Occlusal adjustments to treat TMJ pain include balancing bite forces by smoothing uneven teeth or applying composite resin to restore chipped or worn teeth. If minor bite misalignment worsens TMJ pain, dentists may recommend bridges or crowns to correct alignment and minimize TMJ stress.

Splints

Similar in design to mouthguards, splints are typically made of thermoplastic or acrylic, while mouthguards are made of softer materials. Splints are commonly worn during the day and at night to help reposition the jaw and reduce stress on the jaw joints and muscles. Moreover, individuals wearing splints for TMJ pain relief do not grind their teeth while they sleep. Mouthguards are the recommended dental treatment for temporomandibular disorders worsened by grinding teeth and jaw clenching.

Get TMJ Pain Relief in South Pasadena, California, by Contacting Huntington Dental Excellence Today

Schedule an appointment with our team to have your jaw joint pain professionally diagnosed and your pain relieved with state-of-the-art dental techniques and appliances. Temporomandibular joint disorders are treatable without undergoing surgery or extensive therapy. Call Huntington Dental Excellence at (626) 382-2756 to learn how we can relieve your TMJ pain and jaw stiffness.

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