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The word “TMJ” may not be familiar to everyone, but it can have a significant influence on day-to-day living. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ for short, is a broad term that refers to several symptoms affecting the surrounding muscles and jaw joints. The symptoms of TMJ can vary greatly, causing discomfort and a decreased quality of life. These symptoms include clicking sounds, headaches, and persistent jaw pain.
People who suffer from temporomandibular disorder (TMJ) frequently come across numerous treatment alternatives, one of which is the night guard.
Night guards designed especially for TMJ offer a particular approach to treating the underlying reasons for the disorder. They are also frequently linked to tooth protection while you sleep. However, what makes these different from standard mouth guards, and are they made to fit your needs?
Examine Night Guard
In customized dental care, night guards also referred to as mouth guards, are essential. They have historically been linked to keeping teeth safe while playing sports or avoiding teeth grinding while you sleep.
However, night guards play a unique role in the context of TMJ. In addition to protecting teeth, they also work to release tension and strain on the jaw joint, which lessens discomfort associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Distinguishing TMJ Night Guards from Regular Mouth Guards
The following are some key points to distinguish TMJ night guards from regular mouth guards:
Design and Materials
Temporomandibular joint anatomy is taken into consideration when creating TMJ night guards. Being able to adequately cushion and support the jaw requires them to be softer and more flexible than regular mouth guards. To ensure comfort during usage, materials like silicon or soft plastic are frequently employed.
Customization
TMJ night guards are usually custom-made, in contrast to regular mouth guards that could be available in generic sizes. To ensure a custom fit, dentists take impressions of their patient's jaws and teeth. With this customization, the night guard is guaranteed to fit the patient's bite precisely and to give the jaw joint the best possible support.
Functionality
While the goal of both kinds of guards is to keep teeth safe, TMJ night guards go one step further by treating the disorder's underlying cause. These guards assist in easing the symptoms of a troublesome jaw joint and maintaining oral health by stabilizing the jaw and decreasing clenching or grinding movements while you sleep.
Advantages of Night Guards for TMJ
According to estimates from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases impact over 10 million Americans. They also offer the following advantages as night guard for TMJ:
- Pain Relief: TMJ night guards provide relief from the pain and suffering related to the disorder by reducing pressure on the jaw joint.
- Preventive Care: By using a night guard, you can stop bruxism-related damage to your teeth and jaw from getting worse, which will eventually protect your dental health.
- Better Sleep Quality: TMJ night guards help wearers and their partners get a better night's sleep by attenuating the sounds of clenching and grinding.
Taking Care of Your TMJ
For those who are struggling with TMJ, acting naturally occurs after gaining awareness, understanding, and conviction. See a dentist or other medical expert if you're having headaches, clicking noises in your jaw, or jaw pain associated with TMJ. They can evaluate your situation and suggest the best course of action, which might involve a night guard designed especially for TMJ.
In a nutshell, the ambiguity surrounding night guards' efficacy for treating TMJ is cleared up, exposing a customized instrument designed to meet the specific requirements of those dealing with this prevalent yet difficult illness. People can take the first steps toward relief and improved dental health by being conscious, understanding, convinced, and finally taking action.
FAQs
1. How does a night guard for the temporomandibular joint vary from a mouth guard?
While ordinary mouth guards are usually used to protect teeth from grinding or during sports, night guards for TMJ are specifically designed to relieve jaw joint discomfort.
2. Is it possible to get better sleep with a TMJ night guard?
It can aid in improving sleep quality by lessening the pain and grinding sounds related to TMJ.
