Mouthguards
Most often, patients seek mouthguards, or other oral appliances, for the protection of their teeth while playing sports or when they are experiencing symptoms associated with Bruxism. A lesser discussed condition that can benefit from a customized mouthguard is for the treatment of patients who are suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction, TMD, also known simply as TMJ. Dr. Del Valle or Dr. Shahgoli can review your information, including radiology using the Cone Beam CT Scanner, to evaluate, diagnose and design a treatment plan specific to your situation. Treatment can be as simple as providing the rest that is provided by wearing a mouthguard. Our team at Manhattan Maxillofacial Surgery Group can help reduce the stress on your joint, and relieve the symptoms associated with TMJ dysfunction.
What is TMJ Dysfunction?
The joint that is referred to as the temporomandibular joint, is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. It allows you to open and close your jaw for eating, speaking and breathing. When this joint is out of alignment, it can cause a number of issues, some painful, some irritant, and some prohibiting motion. The cause of TMJ dysfunction can come from a number of sources, most often injury, but it can also be due to poor positioning of your teeth, the loss or shifting of teeth, genetics, arthritis, or from symptoms of Bruxism such as teeth clenching or grinding.
Patients who are experiencing TMJ disorder may find that they are noticing the following symptoms:
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A tired feeling in their jaw. |
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A soreness of their jaw. |
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Clicking or popping sensations in their jaw. |
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Facial pain, in the ears, cheeks or eyebrows. |
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Problems with migraines. |
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Problems with opening or closing your mouth, sometimes described as a locked sensation. |
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Difficulty in chewing, speaking or breathing due to your jaw not wanting to open or close. |
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Unexplained tooth pain in your back molars. |
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Aching or soreness in your face, neck or jaw that does not seem to go away. |
Mouthguard to Alleviate TMJ Dysfunction
We want to rehabilitate your jaw muscles, provide them the rest that they need to heal. When you are looking into a mouthguard for sports or bruxism, there are multiple options available for purchasing, and the cost can vary greatly. When you are looking to purchase a mouthguard for TMJ dysfunction, this should be done through or dentist or an oral surgeon such as Dr. Del Valle and Dr. Shahgoli. This is because the mouthguard that we would recommend is different, it will be hard and rigid and will need to be altered multiple times to get the right fit for your situation.
Sometimes referred to as a splint, mouthguards for TMJ dysfunction are designed to help raise the bite and reposition the jaw so that it relieve the patient of any symptoms and discomfort. Customization is important to get the results that you need. There is no singular answer for TMJ disorder, but a mouthguard is the least invasive, least expensive option to provide your jaw the rest that it needs to begin healing.
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