General Dentist Treats Your TMJ

As a Laurel, MD general dentist, we treat temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ, which can lead to terrible discomfort and soreness in the jaw and face. In some cases, TMJ will progress to the point where people find it difficult to open their mouth all the way comment to chew food like meat or nuts, or even to open their mouth at all in the morning. In fact, if TMJ is not treated it could eventually lead to lockjaw which can be quite a frightening condition.  For these reasons, it is important to treat your TMJ right away; so if you notice any of the common symptoms we encourage you to visit our office as soon as possible for an examination and treatment.  To schedule an appointment with our 20708 general dentist office, call (301) 605-1132.

What are night guards?

Nightguards are removable oral appliances that can be worn at night while you sleep. A guard is similar in size to a full retainer and will slip in place and remain secure throughout the night. Nightguards will prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching in order to prevent you from grinding or clenching your teeth at night. These are two of the common causes of TMJ symptoms since the pressure you place on your joints when biting down is severe. This can lead to the soreness you experience in the morning. However, by simply wearing a nightguard you will find that you are less likely to be uncomfortable and that you experience immediate relief.

Do I need a TMJ splint?

As a Laurel, MD general dentist, we are often asked about a TMJ splint.  This term is often interchangeable with “night guard”. A TMJ splint can be used to provide patients with pain relief and in order to give functional improvement to the jaw. However, it is not necessarily appropriate for someone who is a heavy clencher.  Generally speaking, a TMJ splint will be made of plastic and you can get one that is either hard or soft. The number of teeth that they cover will be based on your TMJ symptoms but we typically recommend ones that cover all of the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment with Montpelier Family Dentistry in Laurel

We want you to feel more comfortable throughout the day and to experience improved health.  By treating your TMJ symptoms with night guards or a TMJ splint, you can. If you live in the 20708 area, call (301) 605-1132 and schedule an appointment with our general dentist's office.