TMJ Therapy

Night guards, particularly custom-fitted ones, help with TMJ therapy by creating a protective barrier between teeth, which reduces jaw muscle tension, minimizes grinding, prevents tooth damage, and eases TMJ joint pressure while sleeping. They help reduce tension headaches, allow jaw muscles to relax, and can promote better jaw alignment.

Preventing TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders involves reducing strain on the jaw joint and muscles. Key strategies include avoiding hard/chewy foods, managing stress to stop teeth clenching, practicing good posture, and using a custom night guard if grinding occurs.

TMJ disorders commonly cause jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, locking of the jaw, and difficulty chewing. Symptoms can also include headaches, earaches, facial pain, and neck or shoulder tension.

For TMJ disorders, you should typically wear a night guard every night for 4 to 8 weeks to experience significant improvements in symptoms like jaw pain and headaches. While some patients feel relief in days, others require 6 to 12 months for long-term stabilization, with many continuing to use their night guard to manage, prevent, and protect teeth from long-term wear.

Custom night guards are made by dentists from impressions of your teeth and offer a precise fit, superior comfort, and durable protection against teeth grinding. They can last for years. On the other hand, store-bought guards are "one-size-fits-all" or "boil-and-bite" options that are cheaper but often bulky, uncomfortable, and less effective at preventing damage.

Most people notice initial improvements in TMJ symptoms within 1 to 3 weeks of consistent nightly use of a custom night guard. While some may feel relief in just a few days, a significant, long-term reduction in pain, such as fewer headaches and less jaw soreness, often takes 4 to 6 weeks. It can differ from patient to patient.

Yes, you should wear your night guard every night for teeth grinding or TMJ issues, as it is designed for consistent, nightly use to prevent enamel wear, tooth fractures, and jaw pain. That said, Dr. Plotnick will go over your customized treatment plan to ensure you know exactly when to wear your night guard and for how long.

Night guards for TMJ therapy are often covered by dental insurance, provided they are deemed medically necessary. In this case, since the guard is being used to treat a dental and medical condition, most of the cost should be covered. That said, it’s important to check with your individual insurance provider.

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint itself or the hinge connecting the jaw to the skull. TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders), on the other hand, refers to the inflammation, pain, or dysfunction of that joint and surrounding muscles. People often use TMJ to describe the pain, but the disorder is actually TMD.