Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a disorder of the temporomandibular, or jaw joint. TMJ causes pain with the movement of the jaw and the surrounding muscles, ligaments and nerves.
TMJ occurs for a few reasons. It can occur when the jaw joint itself, is worn down, when the jaw joint becomes abnormal in shape due to injury, and can occur in people who have arthritis.
Symptoms include: pain in the jaw, stiffness and swelling in the jaw, and headaches. Long- term affects of this disorder are damage to the jaw joints and surrounding muscles.
TMJ may be caused by grinding the teeth during sleep, having an overbite, chewing gum often, and rheumatoid arthritis. To prevent the grinding of the teeth during sleep, a night guard may be recommended by your dentist.
Night guards are made here at our office to treat teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth together. Most commonly, this happens at night time when a person sleeps. To prevent the damage of your teeth and your jaw, the dentist may recommend a night guard to wear while you sleep. They are a custom made with a soft material to fit your teeth. The night guard slips over your upper teeth, much like a retainer, to prevent and relieve pressure caused by clenching and grinding.
