The painful symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD) can often be alleviated with a conservative treatment, such as a custom-made nightguard, which is designed to noninvasively hold your jaw in a comfortable, natural resting position as you sleep.
Hayward dentist Dr. Gary G. Fong has extensive success helping patients find long-term relief from TMJ/TMD with the use of custom oral appliances. If you suffer from recurring headaches, chronic jaw pain or other signs of TMJ/TMD, please call 510-582-8727 to schedule your exam; Dr. Fong welcomes patients from the surrounding Castro Valley, San Leandro and Union City areas.
Treating TMJ with Nightguards
In many instances, TMJ/TMD can be treated by holding the mandible (lower jaw) in its proper position and allowing the jaw muscles to relax.
Nightguards are similar to sports mouthguards, and they are custom crafted to fit your unique bite. These oral devices are worn as you sleep to stabilize your lower jaw and foster an ideal bite.
Patients with TMJ/TMD associated with more severe jaw alignment problems or malocclusions (bite conditions) may benefit from another treatment. Dr. Fong will discuss your individual treatment options with you in detail during your consultation.
The Benefits of Custom Dental Appliances
Our nightguards are individually made to address your specific condition, and they are based on a precise assessment of your bite and jaw position.
Although there are a number of over-the-counter guards available, these models are designed with a one-size-fits-all mindset and mass produced without consideration for the distinctive nature of everyone’s bite. Even the products that claim to conform to your mouth can actually incorporate a person’s bad bite into them, making an uncomfortable condition even worse.
If you suffer from symptoms of TMJ/TMD, it’s important to undergo an assessment with a knowledgeable physician.
Please contact Dr. Gary G. Fong to schedule your TMJ/TMD evaluation. Dr. Fong welcomes patients from the greater Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro and Union City, California, areas.
