A custom nightguard protects your teeth from grinding while you sleep and relieves TMJ pain. These personalized oral appliances create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing damage and reducing pressure on your jaw joints for better sleep and pain-free mornings.

At Olympia Hills Family Dental, we create custom-fitted nightguards explicitly designed for your mouth to provide maximum comfort and protection. Our team provides comprehensive TMJ solutions to help you sleep better and wake up without the jaw pain, headaches, and tooth sensitivity associated with temporomandibular joint disorders.

Understanding TMJ Disorder and Its Impact

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your jaw to your skull, acting as hinges for normal mouth function. When these joints become inflamed or misaligned, they can cause temporomandibular joint disorder, leading to significant discomfort and disruption of daily activities.

TMJ disorder manifests through various symptoms, including jaw pain or tenderness when eating, talking, or smiling, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth, frequent headaches or earaches, tooth sensitivity from grinding, and difficulty opening your mouth fully. Without treatment, TMJ disorder leads to severe pain and long-term dental damage.

Treatment Options for TMJ Relief

Nightguards provide effective relief for many TMJ cases, but treatment varies based on individual symptoms and severity. Other treatment options include dental surgery for severe cases that require joint correction and function restoration, as well as treatment of myofascial pain through physical therapy, massage, and trigger point therapy to alleviate TMJ-related muscle discomfort. Additionally, TMJ orthotic appliances can be used to realign the jaw and reduce stress on the temporomandibular joint.

A professional evaluation determines the most effective treatment approach for lasting relief, tailored to your specific symptoms and needs. Our team thoroughly assesses your condition to recommend the most suitable solution.

Botox as a TMJ Treatment

Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is a proven therapeutic option for managing muscle-based symptoms of TMJ and TMD. By targeting overactive jaw muscles, it provides relief from pain, dysfunction, and secondary symptoms when conservative methods fall short. Benefits of this treatment include the following:

Reduces muscle hyperactivity: Botox weakens the masseter, temporalis, and/or pterygoid muscles to reduce jaw clenching and bruxism.
Relieves jaw pain and tension headaches: Muscle relaxation can alleviate pain from overuse and tension-related headaches.
Improves jaw mobility: Reducing tightness can increase range of motion and decrease clicking or locking.
Minimizes wear on restorations and teeth: Less force from clenching protects both natural dentition and prosthetics, such as implant dentures.
Prevents secondary symptoms: Can lessen symptoms like earaches, neck pain, facial tension, and fatigue.

Most patients experience relief within 3 to 10 days of injection, with peak results at 4 to 6 weeks. The therapeutic effect typically lasts 3 to 4 months and may extend with consistent treatment and muscle retraining.

How Custom Nightguards Provide Relief

A custom-made nightguard cushions your teeth and reduces pressure on your jaw while you sleep, addressing multiple aspects of TMJ disorder simultaneously. The device prevents teeth grinding (bruxism) by creating a protective barrier, reducing jaw tension by keeping your jaw in a relaxed position, minimizing headaches and facial pain through pressure reduction, and protecting teeth from damage caused by chronic grinding.

The following benefits make custom nightguards effective for TMJ relief:

Prevention of tooth wear and enamel damage from nighttime grinding
Reduction in morning jaw stiffness and facial pain
Improved sleep quality through decreased grinding sounds and jaw tension
Protection against future dental complications, including chips, fractures, and tooth loss
Long-term relief from TMJ-related headaches and earaches

These therapeutic benefits work together to provide comprehensive relief while protecting your smile. A nightguard addresses both the symptoms and underlying mechanical issues contributing to TMJ discomfort.

Custom vs. Store-Bought Nightguards

Nightguards purchased online or in-store don’t provide the same therapeutic benefits as professionally made devices. Nightguards purchased from a retailer can cause more harm by causing your jaw and teeth to shift, resulting in more pain and potentially more dental treatment. Custom nightguards provide a superior fit, designed specifically for your teeth to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. In contrast, store-bought options are one-size-fits-all and often feel bulky or slip during sleep.

Professional nightguards are crafted from durable, high-quality materials that are designed to withstand nightly use and maintain their protective properties over time. Generic guards wear down quickly and lose their effectiveness. Custom devices fit snugly and naturally, making them comfortable to sleep in, unlike mass-produced models that cause additional discomfort.

Our Custom Nightguard Process

We make receiving a custom nightguard simple and stress-free through a comprehensive approach tailored to your needs. Our process begins with a thorough examination to evaluate your symptoms, check for signs of grinding, and determine if a nightguard provides the right solution for your condition.

During your appointment, we take precise impressions of your teeth to ensure your nightguard fits perfectly and functions optimally. Once your device is ready, we schedule a fitting appointment to ensure comfort and proper function, making any necessary adjustments for optimal results.

We provide detailed guidance on nightguard care and maintenance to maximize its lifespan and effectiveness. During routine visits, we check the condition of your device and assess your progress, ensuring continued relief and protection.

Why Choose Olympia Hills Family Dental?

Our office culture is centered on providing personalized care tailored to your individual needs, ensuring every visit is an enjoyable experience. We take time to get to know you personally, ensuring your treatment plan addresses your specific concerns and goals for TMJ relief. Our custom nightguards offer a simple, non-invasive solution to alleviate pain caused by TMJ disorder and teeth grinding.

Whether you’re experiencing jaw stiffness, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, our team is dedicated to enhancing your quality of life and preserving your smile. We receive about 60 new clients each month from referrals alone, reflecting our commitment to exceeding expectations and providing exceptional dental care. Don’t let TMJ pain disrupt your life. Contact Olympia Hills Family Dental today at (210) 658-3131 or schedule your appointment through our contact form.