Does Splint Therapy Work for TMJ Pain?

It’s estimated that as many as 10 million Americans may be affected by TMJ disorder, which is a pain that occurs because of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) being strained. For many patients, the pain can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, and it eventually subsides. For other patients, however, TMJ pain can be much more severe and long-lasting to the point where it becomes necessary to explore other treatment options.

One TMJ treatment option that is growing in popularity is splint therapy. Here’s a closer look at this and its effectiveness:

Splint Therapy Explained

Stabilization splints are among the most popular treatments for treating TMJ issues, bruxism, or jaw misalignment. Simply put, it involves administering a custom-made, hard splint to help the jaw muscles relax, protect teeth from excessive wear, reduce muscle activity, and better align the bite so that the jaw becomes more stable.

How Long Do You Have to Wear a Splint for TMJ Disorder (TMD)?

The device is typically only worn full-time on a temporary basis, and it’s designed to reduce the pain that is commonly associated with TMJ disorder. Usually, patients are required to wear a splint for a few weeks to several months, which results in them being pain-free. Splint therapy provides symptomatic relief but doesn’t treat the root cause of the dental issue by itself. A more comprehensive treatment plan is something a dentist can put together for you.

Does Splint Therapy Work for TMJ Pain?

For the right patient, splint therapy can be very effective. After all, it is one of the most common treatments for alleviating TMJ pain. It’s important not to confuse a splint with a mouth guard, however. While mouthguards can also play a role in resolving TMJ pain, they’re mostly administered to prevent someone from grinding their teeth as they sleep. Often, it’s teeth grinding, or bruxism, that is deemed to be the root cause of TMJ pain and other oral issues.

Is a stabilization splint right to treat your TMJ issues? It’s possible. We’d advise that you consult with your dentist today if you have recurring TMJ pain to see if you’d be a good fit.

Other TMD Treatments

Splint therapy is just one way to help resolve more severe TMJ issues, but it’s hardly the only other way. Here’s a look at some other ways that dentists treat TMJ pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter painkillers:

At-Home Treatments

For many, taking some simple extra steps around your home can help alleviate TMJ pain. This might include icing sore areas of the jaw, eating soft foods until pain subsides, or learning how to gently stretch out jaw muscles.

Massage

A massage therapist or physical therapist can help teach you massages that you can perform around the TMJ to help relieve pain.

Orthodontics

If your TMJ issues are believed to be caused by malocclusion, braces and/or retainers can often be the answer to eliminating TMJ pain.

Surgery

Though this is often considered a last-ditch option, surgery may be necessary to permanently correct TMJ issues.

Schedule a Splint Therapy Consultation

If you’ve been experiencing TMJ pain and over-the-counter painkillers aren’t helping your situation, contact Kanehl Dental today. There’s a good chance that splint therapy – or one of the other treatment methods listed here – could provide the relief you’re looking for.