TMJ Splint Therapy

What is TMJ Splint Therapy?

TMJ disorder, that affects the Temporomandibular joint, can adversely impact people in several ways. To start with, the actual pain and discomfort of TMJ syndrome can be a constant aggravation. As time passes, the pain can become almost intolerable, that many times requires using prescription medication for basic relief. TMJ has an effect on any action that requires the jaw, when suffering from TMJ disorder, this effect is many times pain. Which means that routines which are commonly performed regularly every day, including speaking and eating, can become a distressing and painful experience to the TMJ sufferer. Previously, those with TMJ problems commonly endured the pain in silence as the only alternative offered was expensive and possibly high-risk oral surgery to correct their bite. Thankfully, there are other options available now for TMJ sufferers.  You can discover all of the choices by meeting with an experienced TMJ professional. One outstanding therapy alternative for TMJ syndrome is splint therapy. Splint therapy aims to correct the patient’s bite without having surgical treatment, by means of using dental devices that line up the jaw steadily in time.

Many individuals who have TMJ troubles also grind their teeth while sleeping. To resolve this matter, their doctor or dentist might recommend using a night guard or mouth guard, which is a plastic guard that protects the teeth from the deterioration caused by repetitive grinding movements. Splint therapy is quite different and has a different outcome than night or mouth guards.  TMJ splints, commonly made of plastic and also called “orthotic devices”, are put on daily and worn 24/7, as opposed to mouth guards that are worn overnight.  Additionally, the goal of splint therapy is different from the mouth guard. Night guards primarily protect teeth, whereas splints aim to slowly drive the jaw to a natural and comfortable placement as a way to reduce TMJ symptoms. The purpose of the TMJ splint is to make a bite that enables the Temporomandibular joint to stay in its socket any time all the teeth come together, and to ensure that all of the teeth come together simultaneously. With regular use and thorough adjustment by a qualified TMJ professional, splints can produce lasting results, nearly curing sufferers of TMJ pain and discomfort.

There are many types of splints to use for TMJ splint therapy. Certain splints are used for the upper teeth, and others are used on the lower teeth. Typically, lower teeth splints are favored, mainly because most sufferers find them more comfortable and less intrusive, allowing more natural speaking  - an issue which is of particular significance when the device is worn 24 / 7. There are partial coverage and full coverage splints. Partial coverage splints are used over just the back or just the front teeth, splints that offer full protection are used over all of the teeth. This gives the TMJ dental professional more control while correcting the jaw alignment and bite, and minimizes the possibilities that the teeth or jaw would shift back with time. Last but not least, there are directive and permissive splints. Simply put, directive splints retain the jaw in a fixed position, permissive splints let it locate its own position and shift more easily and naturally. Permissive splints are a newer option many people find much less restricted as well as much easier to use every day.

If you suffer from TMJ and you think that splint therapy could be best for you, contact a TMJ professional with an experience in orthotics. Dr. Eddie Siman of TMJBeverlyHills.com in Beverly Hills, CA is a highly trained and experienced TMJ professional who has developed a process using splints as an effective and permanent TMJ treatment. Call to schedule your appointment today.