Were you recently diagnosed with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD)? If so, you might have heard about oral appliance therapy for your jaw pain relief. While there are many treatment options available, oral appliance therapy has been proven beneficial for people who suffer from TMD. Let’s take a closer look at what you should know about oral appliance therapy for the treatment of TMD.
What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is used as a treatment for many oral disorders, TMD being one of them. TMD can be quite painful and annoying, so establishing a proper treatment plan is crucial for a pain-free life.
Typically worn overnight, oral appliances are custom fit to your mouth and TMD severity–what works for one person may not work for the other. Working alongside your doctor, you will be able to find an appliance that relieves your TMD pain, and is comfortable to wear.
What do the appliances do?
When used to treat TMD, oral appliances work to give your jaw a break. Depending on the severity of TMD, you will wear an appliance that creates a gap between your top and bottom jaw. This will allow your jaw to rest and relieve any pressure that has been put on it during the day.
TMD oral appliances may also realign your bite in order to alleviate the stress your jaw has been experiencing. If worn properly, these appliances can eliminate the need for jaw surgery. The most important thing to remember is that there is relief for TMD pain.
Contact Dr. Mayoor Patel at Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center to learn more about oral appliance therapy and how it can provide relief from your jaw pain.
