What Is a TMJ Appliance

As anyone who suffers from chronic jaw pain and limited mobility can tell you, TMJ disorder is no joke. This disorder, which is characterized by problems or dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint that connects the jawbone to the lower half of the skull, affects millions of Americans everyday. TMJ disease can make talking, eating - even laughing - a painful ordeal. If you or someone you love is suffering from TMJ problems, you may be investigating your treatment options. Some doctors and dentists might advise TMJ patients to undergo corrective surgery to fix the problem; however, surgery can be costly and dangerous, and TMJ surgery in particular carries a risk of facial paralysis due to the location of the joint in question. Others may suggest painkillers to ease discomfort - but bear in mind that any medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, carry a risk of addiction and offer temporary relief at best. Still others may suggest that there is “nothing they can do” to help your TMJ, citing the outdated belief that the disorder is basically incurable and instead advising patients to adhere to a strict regimen of exercises and avoidance techniques. These treatment methods are, quite simply, wrong. There is a way to permanently treat your TMJ symptoms without surgery or drugs: TMJ appliances.

TMJ appliances work to gently correct a misaligned bite over time through the use of dental devices, rather than through invasive surgical techniques. There are several different types of TMJ appliances that can be used to relieve symptoms and correct the bite. The first, and perhaps most commonly used, type of appliance is a nighttime mouth guard. These guards are usually made of soft, flexible plastic and inserted into the mouth before bed. Users then remove the guard in the morning, after waking. These appliances may work well for TMJ patients who suffer from bruxism, or tooth grinding, in their sleep, or who cite stress as one of the main factors in their TMJ disorder. This is because mouth guards that are worn at night can help relax the jaw to prevent clenching, as well as protecting teeth from the wear and tear of repetitive grinding motions. However, if your TMJ symptoms are severe or persistent, you may want to try a more intensive kind of TMJ appliance.

Other TMJ appliances are worn twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, in order to relieve symptoms and physically correct the bite. These appliances are referred to as orthotics, and the process of wearing them to cure TMJ disorder is commonly referred to as splint therapy. Unlike regular nighttime mouth guards, which don’t necessarily have to be custom-made and may even be purchased over-the-counter, orthotics must be fitted to your teeth in order to obtain the desired results. If you’re wondering where to get one, you should begin by contacting an experienced neuromuscular dentist who specializes in treating TMJ problems. Dr. Eddie Siman of Millennium Dental in Los Angeles, CA. is one such TMJ specialist who can help supply you with the TMJ appliances you need. Dr. Siman is a leader in his field, and has helped cure thousands of people of their painful TMJ symptoms without surgery. With his reliance on TMJ appliances and full mouth reconstruction (if necessary) to correct the bite, Dr. Siman is a pioneer in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder. Contact him today to start your treatment.