Occlusal Splints/Night Guards
Clenching and grinding your teeth at night and other times of the day can damage not only your teeth and periodontium, but your facial muscles, jaw muscles, and jaw joints as well.
Facial and jaw muscles can strain and spasm from clenching and/or grinding, which can cause a change in position of the jaw joint position and result in disharmony.
We often recommend occlusal splints (also known as night guards) to treat patients who clench or grind their teeth. These custom-designed appliances are made of durable hard plastic and therapeutically help stretch jaw muscles and realign jaw joints that have gone off position and no longer function harmoniously, resulting in a decrease in jaw muscle discomfort and decreased intensity of grinding or clenching. The occlusal splint can also sometimes be used to treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
There are two types of occlusal splints:
Full Arch - Worn on either the upper or lower jaws, covering all teeth on a single arch.
NTI-TSS - Worn only part-time, cover only the upper front teeth in the front of the mouth.
If you clench or grind your teeth, are experiencing a changing or have an inconsistent bite, or are experiencing any concerns about your mouth, teeth, or jaw, please call us today. Occlusal splints help reestablish normal jaw function and greatly reduce muscle pain and tooth wear - we may be able to help you determine if an occlusal splint is right for you.
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