Better Oral Health With Our Custom Mouthguards
June 24, 2021
Our team offers custom mouthguards, which can be used to protect teeth from damage, or to address an array of common oral health issues, including teeth grinding and even TMJ disorder. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist will explain how we create a custom appliance, and when you should consider one.
Creating Your Custom Mouthguard
We want to make sure they fit comfortably and provide a good layer of protection. To begin, we will use digital technology to take a series of images and measurements. The information we gather will enable us to begin crafting your custom appliance in a lab setting. When finished, the product will be custom-fitted for your smile, providing a greater layer of protection than most boil-and-bite options you purchase from a store.
Protecting Teeth From Injuries
When you play sports or practice martial arts, the risk of a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth is increased. To help prevent this, wearing a mouthguard is recommended. If you sustain an injury, it will likely be less severe, and the repair will be simpler. Instead of needing to create a crown or even replace an entire tooth, we could address minor damage in one sitting with dental bonding or contouring!
Treating TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
When issues occur that upset the balance of your bite, such as misalignment, injury, or tooth loss, or if you have high levels of stress, you could develop TMJ disorder or bruxism. With TMJ disorder, the strain on your jaw joints will make opening and closing your mouth, or chewing, difficult. With bruxism, you grind and clench your teeth on a near nightly basis, which wears down enamel and could even damage teeth. Your teeth appear shorter, and the risk of tooth decay and infection is higher. People with these disorders often report headaches, migraines, jaw pain, and facial aches. A mouthguard helps reposition the jaw when worn at night, and provides a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage!
Sleep Apnea Care
For some with a sleep disorder, a mouthguard could be worn to reposition the jaw and prevent the collapse or partial obstruction of air passages. You’re then less likely to snore or experience a cessation of breathing, improving your ability to rest and feel alert the next day.
If you have any questions about how we create a custom oral appliance, or if you need an oral appliance for you or a family member, then give us a call today.
Do You Need a Custom Oral Appliance?
Our team creates custom devices to help prevent chipped teeth or even allow you to sleep easier. To learn more about how we safeguard our smiles against injuries or worsening oral health, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.