Me getting a night guard was kind of a combination of things. I think I was showing the signs somewhat. I have some teeth that are worn down, and I was having some damage to some teeth. But also, sometimes I would come in and I’d tell Dr. Pierce, ‘Oh, I’ve got this tooth, please tell me it’s nothing.’ I’d kind of noticed it was sore. And just from the clenching, I think I was really straining some of the ligaments or something because it was causing my mouth to maybe be sore the next day.
So it was just kind of a culmination of all these things that we kind of ended up determining that I needed a night guard. A lot of people need night guards, actually, and I’m sure that they knew it way before I admitted it. So I still sometimes struggle to remember to put it in or to do it, but it definitely … I wish I had used my night guard and worn it every day from the time I first had one because I know I would have saved myself some wear and tear on the old teeth.
Experience Effective Relief With a Custom Mouthguard
Your TMJs are complex joints that sit on either side of your head, attaching your jaw to your skull. When they become inflamed, you can experience significant pain just by performing daily activities that many of us take for granted. Fortunately, Pierce & Knight Family Dentistry offers you a great solution with the help of a custom mouthguard. Here is how it will work:
- We’ll first examine your teeth for any signs of dental damage. A TMJ disorder (TMD) often is affected by teeth grinding, which can damage your tooth enamel. If necessary, we’ll work with you on any restorative dental treatments to fix any issues.
- Then, we’ll use a digital scanner to make impressions of your teeth to create your custom mouthguard. Unlike traditional dental impressions, no messy goop is involved!
- We’ll have an oral appliance custom-made for you. It will fit comfortably in your mouth and move your lower jaw slightly forward to reduce the tension on your TMJ. It will also act as a barrier between your teeth to eliminate harmful grinding.
We are pleased to offer Botox® as an alternative or addition to your mouthguard treatment. Botox helps to relax the muscles around your jaw joints, which will provide relief from the discomfort you’ve been feeling.
Call us today at 913-251-9683 to schedule your appointment, or schedule online. If your jaw is hurting, you can find relief with our TMJ treatment in Lenexa. We can help you just like we’ve helped many others.
