Protect Your Jaw With a Custom Night Guard
To treat your TMJ problems, we create personalized occlusal night guards designed specifically for your mouth's unique structure. Unlike store-bought options, our custom guards provide precise support that properly aligns your jaw while you sleep.
The fitting process is comfortable and mess-free, using digital scanning technology instead of traditional goopy impressions. This advanced approach ensures your appliance fits perfectly from the first wear.
Your custom night guard does double duty by also protecting your teeth from grinding and clenching. This habit, called bruxism, can severely damage tooth enamel, causing cracks, chips, and excessive wear over time. By creating a cushioning barrier between your upper and lower teeth, the guard prevents this damage while simultaneously relaxing your jaw muscles and reducing TMJ-related pain and pressure.
TMJ troubles can be caused by a misaligned bite. If that's the case, your dentist may recommend Invisalign® treatment. You can trust our expertise with these clear aligners, as we are a Diamond-level provider. Dr. Rojas is a faculty member for Molis Coaching, a training program devoted to excellence with Invisalign aligners.
Recognize These Common TMJ Symptoms
Your dentist routinely checks for TMJ issues during your regular dental checkups, examining your jaw movement and listening for clicking sounds. However, it's important that you also monitor for symptoms between visits.
Catching TMJ problems early leads to simpler treatment and prevents the condition from worsening over time.
Watch for warning signs including jaw pain or tenderness, especially when chewing or opening your mouth wide. Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when moving your jaw are classic TMJ indicators.
You may also experience headaches, particularly around the temples, ear pain without infection, and unexplained tooth sensitivity. Face, neck, and shoulder pain can also stem from TMJ problems.
If you need TMJ treatment in Wellington, contact Dental House of Wellington today.
TMJ disorders stem from multiple factors including jaw injury, arthritis, teeth grinding, stress-induced muscle tension, and misaligned bites. Certain habits like nail biting or chewing gum excessively can worsen symptoms. In some cases, disc displacement within the joint occurs.
Mild TMJ discomfort may sometimes resolve spontaneously within a few weeks, particularly if triggered by temporary stress or minor injury. However, most moderate to severe cases require professional treatment. Without proper intervention, chronic TMJ disorders typically worsen over time and can lead to permanent joint damage and increased pain.
Yes, children and teenagers can develop TMJ disorders, though it's less common than in adults. Contributing factors include orthodontic issues, jaw growth abnormalities, teeth grinding, and injuries. Early symptoms often include jaw pain, headaches, and clicking sounds. Early intervention is crucial to prevent the condition from affecting normal jaw development.