JawGuard
Do you suffer from TMD? Fill in this JawGuard Treatment Q&A to find out
At Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic Friern Barnet Barnet N11 we can help find you a solution and relief from Jaw Pain and Headaches and Temporomandibular Joint Pain (TMJ Pain).
We can provide TMJ Pain & Headache relief options and provide you comfort in Barnet, East Barnet, Arnos Grove, Southgate, Finchley and North London.
JawGuard
JawGuard is a discreet medical device which fits within the ears to stabilise the jaw joint. The device treats symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) including jaw pain, facial pain, tension headaches, ear pain, eye pain, some neck pain and trismus.
JawGuard is unique in the fact that it has the ability to be actively effective for over 22 hours a day as it can be worn throughout the day and night, a significant advantage over other dental splints which are generally worn for a maximum of eight hours during the night, a major development for treating patients with day time parafunctional habits.
The JawGuard product is a custom made medical device which is created to fit the patient's ear canal. Impressions of the ear canal are taken in order to ensure that the device is comfortable with a bespoke fit which also allows for the active component of the appliance to be as effective as possible.
Anatomically, the ear canal is intimately associated to tissues surrounding the jaw joint and has insertions with tissues around the articular disc of the jaw joint (TMJ). Because of these connections, when the jaw is opened the ear canal is pulled forward and is approximately 25% bigger than when the jaw closes and the ear canal is compressed. There is a particular zone within the ear canal which is stretched when the jaw opens, and this is the area which the JawGuard appliance therapeutically exploits in order to provide relieving support to the joint.
An open jaw impression is taken and then digitally scanned. Following this, a digital design process takes place and a bespoke appliance is planned to specific dimensions which ensure the active component of the appliance supports the jaw joint as effectively as possible. A sound bore is also fabricated through the appliance which is clinically proven to have little to no effect on the patients ability to hear.
When the appliance is worn, the result is that the head of the condyle is pushed very slightly forwards and downward, the tissues behind the disc of the joint are relaxed and there is more space between the jaw and the skull, meaning critical tissues are not "pinched", stressed or under tension. This then serves to reduce the pain associated with TMD.
https://jawguard.com/professionals/evidence-base/
The blue Jaw Guard is for your left ear, and the red Jaw Guard is for your right ear.
In order to fit your device, hold the outer edge of the insert, with the right insert in the right hand. Ensure the device is orientated correctly, so the extraction cord is at the bottom.
Gently insert the Jaw Guard into your ear canal while keeping the extraction cord at the bottom, then carefully push the ear insert into place with your fingertip. Sometimes pulling your ear back while wiggling the device as you push it into your ear can help.
To fit your left Jaw Guard, repeat the process by holding your left device in your left hand, ensuring that the device has the extraction cord at the bottom. Gently insert the device into your ear canal. Remember to keep the cord at the bottom and carefully push the device into your ear with your fingertip.
To remove the device, take hold of the extraction cord, and gently pull outwards until the insert is out of your ear.
To help maintain your Jaw Guard inserts, clean them daily with the brush provided. Please check and brush away any debris in the hollow of the inserts.
Your Eyes & Smiles Friern Barnet N11 JawGuard Dentist Will Walk You Through Problems Associated With Clenching Or Grinding Teeth
JawGuard Visual Demonstration
See how clenching and grinding teeth can lead to many types of headaches, jaw pain and TMJ issues. Your dentist at Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic Friern Barnet N11 will investigate for any jaw and joint issues and provide you with the appropriate solution.
Click Image to View Symptoms of Temperomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), and Jaw Pain.
Image courtesy of https://jawguard.com/instructions/
Did you know headaches and jaw problems can be caused by clenching your teeth?
Teeth clenching (bruxism) is common in approximately one third of people and often goes unnoticed until symptoms or pain develops, or your dentist at Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic Barnet picks up on the signs. Clenching (holding the teeth together for unnaturally long periods) can sometimes be linked to grinding the teeth (also known as Bruxism). Both these actions can cause damage and pain to muscles of the head, neck, shoulder, and mouth. This is part of a broader region of pain and set of symptoms relating to TMJ Disorder (TMJ Pain).
Negative effects of clenching (bruxism):
- Various types of Headaches
- Tooth wear & breakage
- Aching jaw & facial muscles
- Ear ache
- Tightness/stiffness of the shoulders
- Limitation of mouth opening
- Sleep disruption
- Tooth wobbliness
- Inflamed & receding gums
At Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic Friern Barnet N11 We Provide Various Solutions and Advice to Help with Jaw Pain and it's Oral Complications
FAQs
What problems can grinding and clenching of teeth cause?
- Damage to your smile
- Fractured fillings and teeth
- Damage to veneers and crowns
- Failure of dental implants
- Headaches
- Jaw and neck pain
- Increased facial muscle around the jaw.
- Aging process
- TMJ Pain and Symptoms
Your TMJ Dentist at Eyes & Smiles Pain Clinic in North London Friern Barnet will check all of these issues to ensure you are given the correct advice for relieving your pain.
Do I have TMJ Syndrome?
TMJ Pain syndrome, TMD, TMJDS, and Jaw Joint Pain are all synonymous for the same condition which involves any area connected to the Jaw Joint and associated structures. If you have any of these symptoms it is advisable you seek professional advice with your Eyes & Smiles New Southgate Dentist.
What type of headaches are linked to TMJ Syndrome?
Typically the TMJ-related Haedache we see commonly at Eyes & Smiles Bounds Green Jaw Clinic is one that feels dull, aching and tight. Commonly it is on 1 side but can be on both sides. It is normally made worse by certain jaw movements or habits such as clenching or griding. it can seem like it is felt on the side of the head, around the temples, the forehead, behind the ear or just in front of the ear directly over where the lower jaw bone meets the skull (temporal bone). In rare cases the pain can be felt behind the eye. In most cases the headache reduces once you relax the Jaw. We can instruct you the best relaxation technqiues at Eyes & Smiles Arnos Grove TMJ Clinic.
Is clenching my teeth unusual?
- Around 30% of us clench our teeth whilst we sleep. Eyes & Smiles Southgate TMJ Clinic knows it is heavily linked to stress but it can also be a posture habit for the jaw if left untreated for long enough, as your brain will guide the jaws into muscle memory mode and clench out of habit.
How do I know if I clench my teeth?
Unless you do it consciously, only your partner or your dentist may be able to tell if you clench or grind your teeth, although sometimes it may go untreated for a long period of time. During our Eyes & Smiles Finchley Clinic consultation, we will check through some of the key symptoms with you, which include:
- Headaches or jaw/neck pain, especially in the morning.
- Notice of wearing down of your teeth
- Damage to dental restorations without any apparent reason, e.g. crowns or fillings
- Tender temple/ jaw muscles
- Discomfort whilst chewing
- Jaw makes a clicking sound.
What can I do?
You can do a number of things to help reduce clenching which we will discuss with you at Eyes & Smiles Clinic of New Southgate Friern Barnet:
- Your Eyes & Smiles Barnet Jaw Pain dentist can make you a custom nightguard to wear when you sleep
- Decrease stress levels
- Take prescribed neuropathic pain meds (or antidepressants) or muscle relaxants on prescription by your GP or in conjunction with a hospital referral.
What are the benefits of a TMJ Mouthguard?
- Patients in Eyes & Smiles Southgate like the fact that Nightguards (or TMJ Mouthguards) are a non-invasive treatment. Nightguards are worn on the teeth at night and will reduce the tensing of jaw muscles and reduce the risk of damaging your teeth further. Custom-made TMJ Mouthguards like those made at Eyes & Smiles Bounds Green Jaw Pain Clinic are superior in strength and comfort as they are bespoke for your mouth compared to stock trays which some shops may be selling.
Why do patients at Eyes & Smiles Barnet like to use the TMJ Nightguards?
- Low profile
- Tailor made giving a great fit
- A soft inner lining to give added comfort
- Suitable for patients with a deep bite
- They can accommodate orthodontic patients who are in their retention phase of treatment.
- We always follow-up our Eyes & Smiles Arnos Grove TMJ Clinic clenching patients
