Night Guard

Temporomandibular joint disorders, often called TMJ, occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. Causes include injury to the jaw joint, grinding or clenching the teeth, dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket, and osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the temporomandibular joint. Symptoms include tenderness or pain in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, a clicking sound in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth, headaches, toothaches, neck aches, and tinnitus. Treatment may include wearing a mouth guard at night, using muscle relaxants, and low-level laser therapy to reduce inflammation. Follow the links below to find WebMD’s comprehensive coverage about temporomandibular joint disorders, what causes them, how they are diagnosed and treated, and much more.

Gloved hands presenting a clear custom night guard

Types of Night Guards

Soft Night Guards — flexible and comfortable; best for light teeth grinding and clenching.

Hard Acrylic Night Guards — rigid and the most durable; best for heavy grinding and for TMJ symptoms.

Dual-Laminate Night Guards — soft inside for comfort with a hard outer layer for protection; a middle ground for moderate grinding.