Do mouthguards help manage temporomandibular joint issues?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have terrible temporomandibular joint pain in my jaw, clicking and popping sounds in my ears, sharp pain in my facial bones, and also, my jaw and teeth hurt after every meal for two or three months. I went to the dental clinic, where the dentist took my X-ray and diagnosed me with temporomandibular issues.

He also took a mold of my bottom teeth, like a dental impression, and offered to make me some nightguards for my bottom teeth. I am still waiting for them to arrive. I just want to ask three questions, please, if you can kindly help me?

1. Will the mouth guard help my temporomandibular joint issue and fix all my pain forever if I keep wearing it properly?

2. Do mouthguards work best for temporomandibular joint issues? Is there anything else I can do for my temporomandibular joint issue until this arrives? I am unable to sleep because the pain is so severe.

Is this temporomandibular joint permanent, or does it generally go away? If I use my night guards properl,y then what is the percentage I will get better forever?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query,

Mouthguards are the first preference of choice for temporomandibular joint issues, although they are not the only solution for correcting the jaw. You would first require a muscle relaxant to relieve your joint discomfort, and I also need to know your medical and dental history in order to diagnose why you are having such sharp pain in your jaw.

Do you have any written or X-ray records of the joint problem? If so, I can prescribe you the appropriate treatment. You cannot solve the problem with mouthguards alone. In severe facial pain, the temporomandibular joint pain tends to worsen over time. Please tell me first whether this joint issue has existed for a long time or it started acutely three months ago.

Please follow up for further assistance.

Thank you.