Available in various styles – including permissive and nonpermissive– occlusal, or TMJ, splints help relieve jaw pain caused by TMJ disorders. Splints are designed to support and stabilize the joints and muscles to prevent malocclusion, or the incorrect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed.
What is splint therapy TMJ?
Occlusal splints are a standard method to treat disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The goals of splint therapy are to eliminate TMJ and muscle pain, to improve jaw function, and to recapture the displaced disc.
When should you wear a splint for TMJ?
Most TMJ splints are worn at night, particularly if you’re prone to bruxism (clenching and grinding) while you’re sleeping. You might notice pain or TMD symptoms more in the morning when you wake up, and if that’s the case, you’ll need a nightguard.
Is TMJ a serious problem?
In some cases, however, TMJ disorders will be serious and long-lasting. When the condition lowers quality of life, diagnosis and treatment must be sought as soon as possible to manage or resolve the condition. Whether the condition is mild or serious, professional advice is always essential for treating TMJ disorders.
Can TMJ cause tumors?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tumors may initially present with symptoms similar to TMJ internal derangements and myositis of masticatory muscles. However, malignant tumors and specific types of benign tumors, such as giant cell tumors, may need aggressive surgical intervention.
What is a TMJ splint?
A TMJ splint is essentially a type of oral appliance or bite guard, and it is designed to fit over the lower and upper teeth, or sometimes both. Usually, TMJ splints are made out of hard acrylic, but there are some softer ones available. There are two main types of splints: stabilization splints and repositioning splints.
Should your bite splint be your long-term TMJ treatment?
The first three months when wearing your splint are used by the dentist to determine the best bite alignment for you. Furthermore, splints can be used as long-term solutions for TMJ disorders. They allow your muscles to relax, protect your teeth from the damage caused by your condition, and normalize the periodontal ligament.
What is splint therapy?
The primary purpose of splint therapy is to alter how the teeth come together through the use of a retainer like devise to achieve a more comfortable and stable relationship of how the upper and lower teeth come together.
