Bruxism/TMJ/Sleep Apnea | Reston, VA

There are different oral appliances/devices for treating sleep apnea/snoring, bruxism, and TMJ. These appliances are worn in the mouth at night. There are different ways to make the appliances that are the best fit and the most comfortable for individual patients to encourage compliance of usage. 

• Bruxism: A bruxism appliance can be used for people who grind and/or clench their teeth. With wearing this simple custom occlusalsplint guard, people have reported that they not only feel better with their achy jaw muscles, stiff neck and shoulder, and tooth sensitivity, but they also sleep better as well. This photograph illustrates the effects of bruxism on the lower front teeth. Noticeable wear is evident, with the flat and shortened appearance of the mandibular incisors (top portion of the lower front teeth). This is due to severe grinding, also known as bruxism. The enamel has been significantly worn down, exposing the underlying dentin (soft bone) in some areas. This may lead to sensitivity or increased risk of further damage. To prevent further deterioration and manage the condition, the patient has been advised to wear a custom-fitted splint (specialized night guard) during sleep. The splint is designed to minimize the forces exerted during nocturnal grinding and protect the teeth from additional wear.
  
  Patients who have implants, crowns, fillings, etc also benefit from wearing a custom occlusal splint guard. The splint helps to protect their dental work and reduce the risk of tooth fracture, crowns and/or fillings coming off, and protecting the integrity of dental implants.
• TMJ: People with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder sometimes have jaw pain, joint tenderness, clicking and popping in the joints, and it can be debilitating to their daily life since they cannot eat or talk, and the pain radiates to their head and neck, affecting their mental wellness. For acute pain, medication may be used to relax the muscles and reduce the inflammation at the joint. For chronic pain, a TMJ splint are often prescribed to help reduce pressure at the joint. People with TMJ tend to brux, causing worsening of the TMJ symptoms.

• Sleep Apnea: For mild sleep apnea and snoring, a special appliance can be used to advance the lower jaw slightly forward. This allows the airway to be opened, decreasing obstruction from excessive tissue collapsing the airway. 

These appliances are fabricated to custom-fit in the individual's teeth and they need to be balanced and carefully evaluated to have harmony between the muscles, teeth, and joints. If done improperly, your symptoms may worsen and flare-ups may occur. These appliances are intended to be used long-term to serve as a protective device, improving patients' symptoms and quality of life. 

Please contact us below or call us at (703) 860-4148 for a free consultation to ask us questions about oral appliances. Reston Sunrise Dentistry has treated many patients using oral appliances with high success rate. We can help you!