TMJ Treatment – Morgan Hill, CA 

Diagnosis & Treatment

Dr. Hong will actually examine your jaw joints as part of your routine dental checkups to determine whether you have any signs of TMD. The condition can develop for a variety of reasons, such as bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding), anxiety, an injury, arthritis, or a misaligned bite. The exact cause of your TMD, as well as the stage it has reached, will impact which method of treatment Dr. Hong recommends.

Equilibration / Occlusal Adjustments

When the TMJs are unable to rest in their natural positions, the jaw muscles will be subject to tension that eventually leads to pain. Oftentimes, the TMJs can’t reach their normal positions because the upper and lower teeth don’t come together correctly. To solve this problem, Dr. Hong will have to make small changes in a few teeth. This is known as occlusal adjustments, or equilibration, and it may involve reshaping a small number of specific teeth or restorations so that both arches can meet in harmony and relieve stress from the jaw joints.

Occlusal Splints

An occlusal splint is an oral appliance designed to be worn over the teeth at night. It alleviates stress from the TMJs by gently shifting the lower jaw into its natural resting position. As an added benefit, the splint doubles as a nightguard, shielding the teeth from the grinding and clenching that tend to accompany TMD. The majority of patients who wear their splints every night for several months end up finding permanent relief from their TMD symptoms.