Can I use an oral appliance for TMJ disorder and teeth grinding?
Oral appliances are specialized devices fabricated for patients and used to address various dental concerns. At Westwood Dentistry of Westwood, Massachusetts, they are readily available and can provide patients with solutions to common issues, from teeth grinding treatment to TMJ disorder improvement.
How can oral appliances help dental patients?
Oral appliance therapy can be applied to many different scenarios and is commonly used for patients with:
- TMJ/TMD disorder – Temporomandibular joint disorder is an oral condition that affects the jaw joint that hinges the upper and lower jaws together. It can cause pain, discomfort, and locking, impacting one’s daily life. With oral appliance therapy, patients can enjoy improved comfort and reduce tension in and around these areas-sometimes eliminating one’s reliance on over-the-counter pain medications to manage the condition.
- Obstructive sleep apnea – Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder, sometimes referred to as OSA, that can cause patients to stop breathing several times a night and, in turn, cause them to feel tired and restless the next day. Once you have undergone a sleep study and been diagnosed by a physician or a sleep doctor, treating OSA is easy with oral appliance therapy, using a specialized mouthguard worn at night to align the jaw and open the airways for better, deeper, more restorative sleep every night!
- Bruxism – Clenching and grinding of the teeth cause pain and unwanted wear and tear to the natural teeth. With oral appliance therapy, patients can cushion the upper and lower dental arch, protecting them from damage while reducing tension in the surrounding muscles and joints.
How do I learn more about undergoing oral appliance therapy?
Are you interested in whether oral appliance therapy is right for you? Contact Drs. Anand and Rawat to discuss the benefits of using oral appliances for treating teeth grinding, TMJ/TMD disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. Our office is located at 327 Washington Street, can be reached by calling (781) 514-6443, and serves patients and families in the areas of Westwood South, Canton, Foxboro, Dover, Needham, Walpole, Dedham, and Sharon, MA.
