What is a TMJ Splint? 5 Things to Know About the Oral Appliance
Have you been dealing with chronic pain in your jaw joints when you open and close your mouth? Like when you eat, chew, yawn, speak? You might have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), an issue affecting about 5-12% of Americans. This issue can be caused by events like stress, a jaw injury, arthritis, clenching and grinding your teeth, or a badly aligned bite.
If your facial pain has been diagnosed as TMD, the good news is that treatment is available. One option is a TMJ splint which will help lessen the impact of your jaw movements over a period of time and give your TMJ a chance to heal.
What is a TMJ Splint?
Simply put, it’s a dental splint designed to restore your TMJ to pain-free functioning. A TMJ splint is a removable orthopedic appliance that fits over your teeth, alleviating the pressure from biting and chewing forces so the TMJ and surrounding facial muscles can relax and heal. There are several types of TMJ appliances but the one we use most often at Foundations Orthodontics is a stabilization splint that fits over the upper teeth.
Here are five things to know about a TMJ appliance:
1. A TMJ Appliance is for Moderate to Severe TMJ Pain
At Foundations Orthodontics, we take a conservative approach to all treatment. If Dr. Renee Moran or Dr. Caitlin White has identified that your jaw pain is TMJ dysfunction but it’s on the mild side, they might suggest at-home TMJ treatments first before prescribing a TMJ splint.
Recommendations are based on the cause of your TMJ pain and may include:
Applying hot or cold packs to the jaw
Eating soft foods
Facial massage
Stress reduction techniques
Over-the-counter pain relievers
If TMJ dysfunction (TMD) doesn’t alleviate with these at-home treatments, your Denver orthodontist might then suggest a TMJ splint.
2. Everyone’s TMJ splint treatment is different
Everyone’s teeth and facial structure are unique, so it makes sense that TMJ treatment varies from person to person. A stabilization splint is custom made to fit only your teeth and treat your TMJ pain. In addition, the length of your treatment will depend on how much your joints need to heal. TMJ treatment time with a dental splint can range from a few weeks to several months. You will come in to get it adjusted every 3-4 weeks until stability is achieved.
3. TMJ Treatment is Sometimes Paired with Braces or Clear Aligners Afterward
Sometimes, Dr. Moran or Dr. White will conclude that you also need braces or Invisalign to help alleviate your TMJ for the long term. After all, crooked teeth or a misaligned bite that contribute to teeth grinding are common causes for TMJ pain. If this is the case for you, you’ll likely go through TMJ treatment with a splint first (as opposed to after) to ensure your jaw joints are healthy, strong, and ready for the forces required in straightening your teeth and aligning your bite with braces or clear aligners like Invisalign or 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners.
4. A TMJ Splint Is Nearly Invisible
So what does a TMJ stabilization splint look like? Picture a nightguard or clear aligner but a little higher off your teeth. It is customized to your bite so the size is case-dependent but we try to make them as inconspicuous as possible, something many TMJ patients appreciate because you typically have to wear it full-time during the course of treatment.
5. Splints for TMJ Pain Are Beneficial for Patients of Any Age
You might think that TMJ pain is more of an adult or teen problem, considering some of the causes are stress, teeth grinding and arthritis. But in truth, some kids experience it, too. If your child is suffering through pain in their jaw joints, addressing it now with early orthodontic treatment can help prevent serious orthodontic issues later on; damage to jaw joints in childhood can have a negative impact on their oral and facial development.
That’s why at Foundations, we might suggest early intervention such as a dental splint for TMJ dysfunction to help your child’s jaw pain if there is a clear, health-based reason to proceed. Our approach to orthodontics is holistic: orthodontics is not only about straightening teeth but also about aligning the jaw, bringing health and stability to your oral system, and improving the harmony of your overall facial structure.
Find Relief from Jaw Pain with TMD Treatment
Ready to find relief from persistent jaw pain? The TMD specialists at Foundations Orthodontics want to help you return to pain-free oral functioning with orthodontic treatment like a TMJ splint.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with board certified Denver orthodontists, Dr. Moran or Dr. White for your TMJ issues. We offer four locations for your convenience: Denver, Granby, Winter Park, and our new Centennial, CO.