TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. These joints connect your jaw to your skull and you use them each day when you talk, laugh, and chew. If you or someone you know experiences constant facial pain or migraines, it may be due to a TMJ problem, also known as TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder).
Stress on the TMJ causes the muscles to become overworked. Overworking these muscles leads to soreness which can create migraine headaches and other painful symptoms.
TMD is often caused by teeth grinding. When you grind your teeth at night, you can damage them and cause too much stress on your temporomandibular joints. We offer our patients night guards and an FDA approved NTI device to prevent them from clenching and/or grinding their teeth while they sleep.
Night Guards
Night guards are worn at night during your sleep to prevent damage to your teeth from nightly teeth grinding. They are a protective mouthpiece that is molded around the teeth to fit snugly in your mouth. Our custom night guards are made to fit individually. Once you’re wearing your night guard for the first time, we will have you go perform some normal jaw movements to make sure that the device is comfortable to wear.
NTI Device
The NTI-TSS system is a type of mouthguard that is placed onto the upper teeth and lets the lower jaw rest in place. This prevents teeth clenching and grinding. Installing the NTI–TSS is simple and the best part is that it requires no surgery, shots or pill and there are NO side effects.
To find out if an NTI device or night guard is the best treatment option for you, come talk to your dentists at Olympia Hills Family Dental. Before we begin any treatment, we’ll thoroughly assess your smile to determine the best course of action.
If you have any questions about our devices or temporomandibular concerns, call us at our office. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.
