(972) 867-5090
3405 Silverstone Dr.
Plano, TX 75023
(Near Parker and Custer)

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A dental night guard (also known as a mouth guard, splint, orthotic, or occlusal appliance) is used to treat TMJ disorder. It is usually a hard, acrylic appliance that willrealign your jaw while you sleep, taking the tension off the joint. 

 The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is your jaw “hinge” located just in front of your ear lobe.

If you have been diagnosed with a temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMD) your dentist may have recommended a mouth guard to help ease your pain and prevent damage to your teeth and jaw joints. These appliances can be purchased over the counter and even online, but BEWARE. Devices that are not custom made and professionally fitted are manufactured based on a “one-size-fits-all” model. Nothing could be further from that idea! Each person’s mouth is different. A mouth guard, made of either soft or rigid acrylic material, fits over your own teeth. Since your bite, jaw size and placement are unique to you, the device needs to be professionally fitted to your own mouth. It is important that you order a custom-fitted night guard through your family dentist, as a non- prescription (over the counter) mouth guard will not keep your jaw in the correct alignment as you sleep and may even make things worse.

  • Mouth guards for TMD Syndrome are used to guide your jaw into the correct position. This helps to prevent painful pressure and subsequent irreversible damage by:
  • Preventing you from clenching or “gritting” your teeth 
  • Preventing you from grinding your teeth (also known as bruxing)
  • Helping to align your jaw in the correct position to correct an improper bite.
  • Helping your jaw and facial muscles relax, which reduces muscle spasms, which in turn reduces pain, tightness, and headaches
  • Preventing your jaw from locking
  • To accomplish the goal of relieving TMD pain, an individual and precise fit is critical. By having your dentist be the one to create this for you, Dr. Joseph will be able to check it regularly and make any necessary modifications to provide you with the relief intended.