Stop Your TMJ-TMD Pain – Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. If you have trouble with your TMJ, you may have a serious, often painful, health condition called temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.
Some of the hallmarks of TMJ-TMD are:
- A tendency for the jaw to “lock” open or shut
- An audible popping or clicking sound when chewing or speaking
- Swelling on one or both sides of the face, at the jaw joint
- Pain or sensitivity in the face, especially around the TMJ
- Headaches or migraines originating in the TMJ
While all the causes of TMD are unknown, it is well-documented that grinding your teeth – a process known as bruxism – can make TMD worse.
Thankfully, there are simple, effective treatments for the headaches, fatigue, and aching jaws that result from TMJ-TMD.
Dr. Spilman has years of experience successfully treating individual’s who suffer from TMJ-related problems, offering solutions that can change someone’s quality of life, for the better.
Preventing Nighttime Teeth Grinding
Many people grind their teeth in their sleep and are unaware that they do so. When you see Dr. Spilman, he will check for signs of abnormal wear on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. If he finds evidence of nighttime tooth grinding, he may recommend that you receive Botox injections in the masseter muscle, and/or wear a custom nightguard (mouthguard) or splint while you sleep.
This custom-designed mouthguard, prescribed specifically for people with bruxism and/or TMD, is not the same as an athletic mouthguard. It’s not designed to protect your teeth from a blow to the face; it’s meant to protect your teeth from each other!
To make your guard, we will take impressions of your teeth – a quick, painless process – and then send the impressions to Glidewell Labs. The company will then fabricate a high-quality “Comfort Split” to our exacting specifications. You will wear this device when you sleep, and it will greatly reduce your teeth grinding.
Many of our patients find their custom nightguard alleviates the pain and fatigue associated with TMJ-TMD. If this turns out not to be true for you, we are still committed to helping end your pain, even if it means referring you to someone outside our practice. We have long-standing professional relationships with local dental specialists and if we can’t help, we will get you to someone who will!