Pain in the neck and shoulders, clicking or popping sound in the jaw, and discomfort when talking, chewing, or yawning can be an indicator of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
In most cases, TMD is caused by:
- Clenching and Grinding
- Jaw injury
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
The most common treatment for TMJ is a splint or night guard. This splint is custom made for each patient, and fits perfectly to their bite. It is made from a very strong and durable plastic and prevents the teeth from coming together. In consequence, there is no stress on the jaw joint and further wear-and-tear on the teeth is prevented.
The process of fabricating a splint consists of two appointments.
On the first appointment, impressions will be taken of your teeth and bite. The impressions will then be sent to a laboratory.
At Passion dental, we use the services of only the top Australian laboratories to ensure that our splints are of the highest quality.
On the second appointment the splint will be tried in and adjusted if needed.