At Sleep & TMJ Therapy we have many new patients tell us they were prescribed a nightguard for their TMJ disorder / TMD. They also report that the nightguard is causing them pain and has made their condition worse. Dr. Brown dives into this topic and explains what nightguards do, his opinion on them and when to utilize nightguards in a patient's treatment plan.
Watch this video if you want to know why night-guards are not a viable treatment option for TMJ Disorder, also known as TMD.
In summary, night-guards are great for protecting the teeth while you sleep if you are unconsciously grinding or clenching your teeth. If wearing a nightguard is not causing you any pain and you just need nighttime protection, go ahead and wear one. However, if you have an underlying TMJ problem, wearing a nightguard will not solve the root of the problem. If you are experiencing symptoms such as a jaw pain, popping and clicking in the jaw joints, ear ringing, neck pain, locked jaw, limited opening of the mouth, snoring and waking up unrefreshed, you likely have a TMJ problem and that needs to be addressed and treated properly. We recommend conservatively treating the TMJ problem with oral appliances (such as a modified lower splint or ALF appliances) so you can fix any disc displacement in the jaw joints, cranial distortions, airway issues, muscle tension, jaw joint inflammation and the many symptoms associated with TMJ / TMD. When the jaw joints are in a stable position, it is then safe to prescribe nightguards. In our experience, most patients do not need to wear nightguards because once TMJ treatment is completed, most of our patients stop clenching and grinding at night.
Dr. Jeffrey L. Brown, DDS, Fellow AACFP
www.sleepandtmjtherapy.com
Office Phone Number: 703-821-1103
2841 Hartland Rd. Suite 301 Falls Church, VA 22043
