TMJ Treatment & Dental Splints in Bondi
Relief for Jaw Pain and Teeth Grinding
Our team at Bondi Family Dentist will check your jaw and teeth to find the cause of the pain, then walk you through your options. We’ll explain what we find, then talk you through TMJ treatment options, which may include a custom dental splint.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
You have a temporomandibular joint just in front of each ear. Together, they let your jaw open and move from side to side when you talk and chew. TMJ disorder, often shortened to TMD, covers problems with the joints themselves or the muscles that work them.
Clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism) can strain the jaw muscles, and it often happens in your sleep without you knowing. Stress can make it worse, and a jaw injury or joint arthritis can also play a part.
The usual first sign is pain or tenderness around the jaw joint. You may also notice clicking or popping when you open your mouth, a stiff or stuck jaw, earaches or headaches with no clear cause, and teeth that look flat or chipped from grinding. Clicking on its own, with no pain, is normal and doesn’t need treatment.
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TMJ Treatments
Jaw Assessment
Treatment starts with finding the source of the pain. We’ll check your bite and feel the muscles around your jaw for tension. Worn or cracked teeth can tell us you’re grinding at night. Let us know if you snore or have sleep apnoea, because some splint designs may not suit you.
Custom Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a hard, custom-made guard that fits over your top or bottom teeth. We make it to fit your teeth after assessing your bite, and you wear it while you sleep. It keeps your teeth from meeting when you clench, which can take some of the load off your jaw muscles and joints. A splint is one part of your plan, not the whole answer, so we’ll book a follow-up to check the fit and how your jaw is responding.
Night Guards for Teeth Grinding
If grinding wears your teeth down but your jaw feels fine, a night guard may be all you need. It’s a custom-made guard that sits over your teeth while you sleep, so the guard takes the wear instead of your enamel. That also protects any fillings or veneers you already have.
Jaw Care at Home
Small changes can help as a sore jaw settles. Eating soft foods for a while and dropping habits like nail biting or chewing gum can help. We can also show you how to rest your jaw with your teeth apart during the day, since you often clench without noticing.
Referral When You Need It
Some jaw problems need more than a dentist can offer in the chair. If your pain doesn’t improve, or the joint itself looks damaged, we can refer you to a physiotherapist or to our oral surgeon for further assessment.
Benefits of TMJ Treatment in Bondi
Less strain on your jaw
A fit made for your mouth
Protection for your teeth
Years of grinding can flatten and crack teeth. A guard absorbs that force, helping your enamel and any crowns last longer.
Problems ruled out early
Jaw pain sometimes comes from a cracked tooth or an infection. Your assessment checks for these first, so you’re treating the right problem.