Dental treatment is sometimes used to treat
temporomandibular (TM) disorders. Splints (biteplates,
mouthguards), which are custom-made by a dentist, fit between the upper and
lower teeth. They may be used for short periods of time to ease muscle tension
and stabilize the jaw. Splints are worn mostly at night, because people tend to
clench or grind their teeth during sleep.
In cases of disc displacement and muscle spasm, you may be advised to
wear a splint during the day and at night for about 2 weeks, and then only at
night during times of stress and pain. It may not be easy to get used to
wearing and caring for your splint, but it is an important treatment that may
last for 3 months or more.
Many people who have TM disorders find splint therapy helpful for
treating pain and muscle tension. Doctors do not agree on the effectiveness or
safety of other, irreversible dental TM disorder treatments. The National
Institutes of Health advises against such measures.1
Citations
Management of Temporomandibular Disorders. NIH Technology Assessment Statement (1996 April 29-May 1).
Available online: http://text.nlm.nih.gov/nih/ta/www/018txt.html.
