Night Guards for TMJ Treatment

Teeth grinding can be a real pain! If you’re grinding and clenching your teeth, you may experience frequent headaches, soreness in your jaw, and tension in your shoulders.

At our Fairfax, VA dental office, we are pleased to offer treatment for these symptoms that are related to TMJ.

What is TMJ?

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects the upper and lower jaws. When there’s a problem with the function of this joint, dentists refer to it as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Most people, however, refer to it simply as TMJ. There are a number of conditions that can cause pain in the jaw joint. They often include teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) or an imbalanced dental bite.

If your bite is uneven, you bite down harder on one side of your mouth than the other. This action places a lot of excess stress on the teeth on that side of your mouth. In some cases, teeth grinding can be so harmful that it results in dental erosion, fractures, or loose teeth. Chronic grinding can even damage bridges, crowns, and dentures to the extent that they need replacement.

But a customized night guard can eliminate grinding and provide you with the relief you need. A night guard is a simple but powerful device. When you wear it while you sleep, it prevents your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other, which stops grinding. Your night guard will be customized using impressions of your teeth to ensure a perfect fit. Simply wear the night guard while you sleep, and you’ll be surprised with the difference it makes!

TMJ Treatment in Fairfax

Are you suffering with the pain of TMJ and teeth grinding? Our Fairfax, VA dentist, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, will be happy to sit down with you to discuss your problem and make recommendations to provide you with relief.