Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is a fairly common disorder affecting the jaw that many patients only ever experience mild symptoms from. Some patients, however, can experience persistent symptoms such as headaches, pain in the jaw, ear blockage, and even migraines. Such symptoms can not only cause pain, but can interfere with your daily life and ability to sleep well at night. If this is the case, then splints might be the answer.
Splints – also sometimes referred to simply as mouthguards – are a removable dental device usually made of a firm but reasonably flexible acrylic resin. They can be made for either your upper or lower jaw and are completely transparent. Your splint will be made just for you, so it fits snugly over your teeth and is as comfortable as possible. This will involve having an impression or digital scan taken, from which your personal splint will be made.
