TMD (temporomandibular disorder) causes pain and stiffness in your jawbone joints and the muscles that control its movement. If you tend to grind or clench your teeth while you are sleeping, a nightguard could eliminate some of your discomforts. Dr. D. Hart is a dental specialist in Marietta GA. He provides general, cosmetic, and IV sedation dentistry. He can also provide you with a nightguard to help your TMD.
What Causes TMD?
The cause of TMD tends to vary from patient to patient but common factors include:
- Teeth grinding, clenching, or gnashing (bruxism)
- Disc and soft cushion displacement
- A misaligned jaw
- An under or overbite
- Arthritis
- Stress and anxiety
How Can a Nightguard Help My TMD?
Although a nightguard may take a few nights to get used to, your Dentist Marietta, GA patients have found that a nightguard can help by:
- Reducing jaw and face pain and headaches
- Reduces your risk of chipped or cracked teeth
- Preventing your teeth from wearing down so quickly
- Improving your quality of sleep
- Relieving pressure by keeping your jaw in a natural position
Although over-the-counter nightguards are available, the best option is to talk to your dentists. Nightguards are custom-fitted by your dentist in Marietta, GA so that they can treat your TMD without hurting your breathing while you sleep. They are usually made from thin acrylic and molded to the top or bottom row of your teeth. It may take several attempts to customize your dental nightguard so that it aligns your jaw correctly and alleviate pain while you are sleeping.
If you are a Marietta GA resident who suffers from TMD and you would like to find out more about how nightguards can help, call Dr. D. Hart at (770) 926-8371 to schedule a consultation today!