Relieve Chronic Jaw Pain, Ear Pressure and Headaches with Custom TMJ Orthotics
Chronic jaw pain, temple headaches, ear pressure and neck tension affect millions of people and are often misdiagnosed. If you are struggling with these symptoms and standard treatments have not helped, a custom TMJ orthotic may be the solution you have been looking for.
TMJ orthotics are small devices that stabilize your jaw and reduce pressure on the temporomandibular joints. Unlike over the counter mouthguards, these devices are created using precise imaging and jaw tracking technology to fit your bite perfectly. They gently reposition your jaw to relieve strain, reduce inflammation and allow the joints and muscles to heal.
What Are TMJ Orthotics?
TMJ orthotics, also called oral appliances or splints, are custom made devices worn over the teeth. They are designed to stabilize the jaw in an ideal therapeutic position so the joints, muscles and teeth can function without friction or misalignment.
When the jaw is out of alignment because of clenching, grinding, trauma or airway issues, it can lead to jaw tightness, headaches, ear pain, neck and shoulder tension, clicking or popping sounds and difficulty opening your mouth.
By realigning the jaw, an orthotic takes the strain off the joints and surrounding muscles, allowing inflammation to subside and function to normalize.
Types of Orthotic Devices
- Daytime Orthotic: Worn during daily activities to stabilize the jaw and reduce clicking and popping.
- Nighttime Orthotic: Worn while sleeping to prevent clenching and grinding, reducing morning pain and improving sleep quality.
- Bruxism Mouthguard: Protects teeth during sports or high impact activities; it is not usually used for TMJ therapy.
Our clinicians will recommend the appropriate device based on your symptoms, dental anatomy and lifestyle.
Your Path to a Custom Orthotic
A TMJ orthotic is never a one size fits all device. We begin with a thorough evaluation of your jaw, bite, airway and posture. Advanced diagnostic tools, including three dimensional CBCT imaging, joint vibration analysis and digital impressions, help us understand the structure of your jaw joints and airway.
Using this information, we design an orthotic that gently positions your jaw where it functions best. Once the device is ready, you will have a fitting appointment to ensure comfort and accuracy. Small adjustments may be made for optimal function.
You will wear the orthotic for most of the day or during sleep depending on your plan, and periodic check ins allow us to monitor progress and make refinements. Most patients experience significant improvement within a few weeks.
Signs You May Benefit from a TMJ Orthotic
Persistent jaw pain or tenderness that does not respond to other treatments.
- Frequent headaches or migraines originating near the temples.
- Ear pain or pressure, tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ears.
- Neck and shoulder tension or limited ability to open your mouth.
- Clicking, popping or locking of the jaw joints.
- Morning jaw soreness from nighttime grinding.
- Concern about needing jaw surgery; orthotics can provide a non surgical treatment alternative.
If one or more of these symptoms sound familiar, a custom orthotic could provide targeted relief.
Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Successful TMJ therapy begins with an accurate diagnosis.
- We use CBCT scans to evaluate your jaw joints, teeth and airway in three dimensions.
- Joint vibration analysis records subtle vibrations in your jaw joints, helping detect dysfunction.
- Acoustic pharyngometry and rhinometry measure the size of your nasal and throat airways to see if airway collapse is contributing to your symptoms.
- Digital impressions create a precise model of your bite, ensuring the orthotic fits comfortably.
By integrating these data points, we can identify the root causes of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Benefits of TMJ Orthotics
- Drug free pain relief and improved function.
- Non surgical and reversible therapy.
- Improved sleep and reduced nighttime grinding.
- Better jaw alignment and reduced inflammation.
- Enhanced overall quality of life as symptoms improve.
Orthotics can also be combined with therapies like cold laser therapy, regenerative injections or myofunctional therapy for enhanced healing.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Orthotics
How long do I need to wear the orthotic?
Will it affect how I talk or eat?
Is this the same as a night guard?
Is it covered by insurance?
Insurance typically chooses not to adequately contribute to services associated with TMJ. However, our team is happy to talk in detail about your specific situation during your first appointment with us. The best news is, the care you can receive from our office is not limited because we do not contract with any insurance company. This gives us the opportunity to customize your treatment to help you achieve your goals. It also gives you control over decisions about your health instead of leaving you at the mercy of what an insurance company says you do or do not need.