TMJ Mouth Guards can Help Relieve the Pain and Discomfort of TMJ Disorder

If you suffer from chronic headaches, neck pain or swelling, discomfort opening or closing your mouth, jaw locking, clicking, or popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint, you may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. 

Diagnosis of TMJ syndrome can be difficult because of the large number of disparate symptoms that can also be associated with other conditions. Only an experienced TMJ dentist can properly diagnose these symptoms and recommend valid treatment for TMJ disorder.

Aside from simple, gentle therapies such as massage or relaxation techniques, an effective and popular TMJ treatment are TMJ mouth guards. Alone, or in combination with other dental therapies, mouth guards can help relieve much of the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorder.

How Do TMJ Mouth Guards Work?

Since the 1930s, mouth guards or TMJ splints have been used to treat teeth grinding, clenching, and TMJ disorder. TMJ mouth guards are designed to fit over either the top or bottom teeth to keep the jaw in a more relaxed position.

Some of the newer mouth guards are designed to fit over only a couple of the top front teeth. Since these splints allow only the front teeth to touch, the back teeth are not able to grind or clench, thus reducing temporomandibular joint discomfort and pain.

Alberta TMJ Treatment is Available at Destination Dentistry in Lethbridge

With nearly 40 years experience in general, cosmetic and bioesthetic dentistry, Dr. Kinniburgh is an experienced Alberta TMJ dentist. If a TMJ mouth guard is indicated as a treatment for your TMJ disorder, Dr. Kinniburgh can properly fit you for this effective dental appliance and grant you significant pain relief. 

Call Destination Dentistry today to book an appointment. You deserve to be pain free!