TMJ Splint vs Night Guard: Which Do You Actually Need?
Patients mix these up constantly, and it costs them time and money. A night guard from a drugstore and a TMJ splint from a dentist
TMJ Treatment & Headache Relief
Rediscover Your Radiant Smile
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that moves the lower jaw. Problems with the TMJ may also be called TMD, the “d” stands for Dysfunction. Dr. Rainey has had extensive training over the years in facial pain and TMD treatment. Dr. Rainey personally designs and fabricates all of our patient’s appliances for TMJ dysfunction, and does not delegate this to a lab technician. Facial pain and TMJ issues are usually complex disorders that require 3D imaging and thorough examination to develop individualized therapies for each patient.
Our TMD Facial Pain Treatment Philosophy
Dr. Rainey has suffered from TMJ disorder himself, so he’s experienced TMJ from both sides of the office chair, he also knows that it can and will get better if properly treated. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all TMJ treatment for pain, every individual is different. Most TMD patients will start with a custom-designed oral appliance in order to properly align the jaw joints and muscles. Since every patient has different needs, the treatment can vary depending on what issues need to be corrected.
You don’t have to live with this pain, and it can cause long-term damage to the TMJ joint, and teeth, and cause headaches. Dr. Rainey can usually treat these conditions with an oral appliance or other noninvasive treatments.
TMJ Symptoms
The TMJ is the joint that allows the lower jaw to move and open. TMJ symptoms or pain can occur when the functioning of this joint becomes strained. This can damage the alignment of the jaw joints and cause inflammation in the surrounding muscles and counterbalancing muscles if not treated.
Common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction:
- Joint/Jaw pain
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Popping/clicking of the jaw joint
- Neck/shoulder pain
- Toothaches
TMJ Splint Therapy
Rather than nightguards, Comprehensive Family Dental uses bite splints. This is because we are trying to reposition the jaw joint up into its proper anatomical position in the socket, which is the most restful position for the joint and teeth. Store-bought guards tend to be uncomfortable and wear out quickly; may help for a while and then not help at all; or cause wearers to clench their teeth even more due to their soft plastic construction. We make bite splints in the office with digital design software and our 3D printer. They are customized to each patient.
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Your Time is important to us! You can save time when you visit our Victoria, Texas office for TMJ pain by downloading and filling out the TMJ Patient form.
Cold Laser TMJ Pain and Inflammation Treatment
Cold Laser TMJ therapy has the capability to alleviate acute TMJ pain. It also accelerates the healing process of the ligaments and other tissues in the TMJ by improving mitochondrial function and lymph drainage.
The cold laser does not cut or burn and is not painful to use, it typically stops the pain but also reduces craniofacial pain and inflammation. We can use it not only on the TMJ, but any and all associated muscles that are painfully involved with the TMJ symptoms.
Other names for this laser treatment are Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), photobiomodulation, or photobiostimulation; all these terms mean the same thing. Laser light is used at a low level that does not damage the tissues but stimulates healing and reduces pain signals.
Sleep Disordered Breathing and the association with TMJ Dysfunction
Sleep Apnea is another condition that is correlated with nocturnal teeth grinding. There is a high degree of correlation between nighttime teeth grinding and breathing issues like sleep apnea. In between the non-breathing episodes, there will often be intermittent severe teeth grinding, which is the body’s mechanism to open the airway and get more oxygen into the bloodstream. Sleep breathing disorders are a common cause of TMJ and severely worn teeth.
Visit our sleep apnea and dental snoring treatment page.
Flexible Financing Available
Our third-party financing partner, CareCredit® makes getting the care you need stress-free. CareCredit is one of the leading healthcare credit cards accepted by over 175,000 providers nationwide. Pay upfront for necessary procedures and make affordable monthly payments that work with your budget. CareCredit financing is flexible and convenient, and the application process is simple.
Our Dentists
Tim Rainey II
DDS, FAGD, DABDSM
Dr. Tim Rainey is a second-generation Texas dentist. He received his dental education at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio following undergraduate studies at the University of Texas Austin. Dr. Rainey went on to complete 500+ hours of continuing education (CE) credits to earn his FAGD (Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry) and continues to complete 80 additional CE hours each year. He’s passionate about providing exceptional patient care every day.
Donnese Fritsche
DDS
Dr. Fritsche received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where she received a Clinical Excellence Award. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Texas A & M. Dr. Fritsche and Dr. Rainey created Comprehensive Family Dental with their shared vision and philosophy to provide health-focused dentistry that helps each patient develop a beautiful smile.
FAQs
What are the most common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction?
Common symptoms include joint and jaw pain, earaches, headaches, popping or clicking of the jaw joint, neck and shoulder pain, and toothaches. TMJ is a complex disorder that affects both the jaw joints and the counterbalancing muscles in your face and neck.
Why do you recommend custom bite splints instead of store-bought nightguards?
Store-bought guards are usually made of soft plastic, which can actually cause you to clench your teeth even more. They also tend to be uncomfortable and wear out quickly. We design custom bite splints to properly reposition the jaw joint into its correct anatomical position in the socket, providing the most restful position for both your joints and teeth.
What is Cold Laser Therapy, and does it hurt?
Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy) is completely painless—it does not cut or burn. The low-level laser light alleviates acute TMJ pain, reduces inflammation, and accelerates the healing process in your ligaments and tissues by improving cellular function and lymph drainage.
Is there a connection between TMJ, teeth grinding, and sleep apnea?
Yes, there is a high correlation. Severe teeth grinding at night is often your body’s mechanism to open your airway and get more oxygen when you stop breathing during a sleep apnea episode. This intermittent grinding puts massive strain on the TMJ and causes severely worn teeth.
Who designs the oral appliances for TMJ treatment?
Dr. Rainey personally designs and fabricates all TMJ appliances right in our office. We do not delegate this to an outside lab technician. Because Dr. Rainey has experienced TMJ disorder himself, he uses advanced 3D imaging, digital design software, and an in-office 3D printer to create individualized therapies for each patient.
Learn More About TMJ Treatment & Headache Relief
How Cold Laser Therapy Relieves TMJ Pain in Victoria, TX
Most TMJ treatments you’ve heard of involve a mouth guard, medication, or, in severe cases, surgery. Cold laser therapy fits into a different category entirely.
Who Treats TMJ? A Dentist Explains
TMJ disorders have been a cause of concern for many. It’s not just about the jaw pain but also the variety of symptoms that come