Night Guard/ TMJ Orthotic/ TMJ Splint
What is a Night Guard & TMJ Orthotic?
Many people are familiar with a “night guard” which is an appliance worn over the teeth during sleep to protect them from grinding and clenching. When an appliance is specifically designed and adjusted to help manage symptoms of a diagnosed jaw joint or muscle disorder, it may be called a “TMJ orthotic.” or TMJ splint”.
Will a Night Guard or TMJ Orthotic Help With TMJ?
A night guard primarily protects your teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching. If you have TMJ pain, protecting your teeth alone may not be enough to manage your symptoms.
A TMJ orthotic is specifically designed and adjusted to help manage a diagnosed jaw joint or muscle disorder. Certain designs may reduce pressure within the jaw joint during clenching (Nitzan DW, 1994).
Other designs, such as an anterior repositioning appliance, temporarily guide the lower jaw into a prescribed forward position to help relieve joint pain. A comparative study found greater pain relief with this design than with a stabilization splint in patients with recent TMJ internal derangement (Tecco et al., 2004).
Your specialist can determine which appliance is appropriate for your condition and whether other treatments should be included in your care.
What is the Best Splint for Treating TMJ Pain?
There is no single best splint for everyone because TMJ pain can involve different joint or muscle conditions. Different designs serve different purposes, and your provider will recommend an appliance based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and individual needs.
At our office, we offer several types of TMJ orthotics. When appropriate, we may prescribe a combination of appliances as part of your personalized treatment plan.