The joint where the jaw meets the skull is called the temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) Cartilage normally acts as a buffer, but excess pressure on this joint can cause inflammation. This, in turn, can lead to headaches, earaches, difficulty or soreness when opening or closing the mouth, clicking or popping of the jaw and soreness extending to the face and neck.
A night guard is a plastic appliance that is worn while sleeping to prevent clenching or grinding of teeth that can cause daily discomfort and long-term damage to teeth and surrounding structures. Stress and muscle tension are the major contributing factors, leading many people to clench or grind unconsciously while sleeping.
The primary function of a well-made custom night guard is to balance the forces of the teeth and remove the stresses on the TMJ. There are many different designs and types of night guards. Your dentist at Dental Arts will assess your specific needs and design a night guard accordingly.
To create your night guard, a digital scan of your teeth will be taken and sent to our lab. The completed night guard is usually back in our office in about a week. Your well-designed and properly-fitted night guard will provide comfort and protect your teeth and jaw from long-term damage.
