Safeguarding Your Smile With Mouthguards
August 11, 2021
Did you know that our team offers custom-made mouthguards for patients of all ages? In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about how we design and craft these mouthguards. We will also explain how we can use these to not only prevent injuries, but to also treat common issues like TMJ disorder or bruxism!
Creating a Mouthguard
A mouthguard will fit comfortably over your teeth, and being custom in nature means a greater level of protection than possible with a simple boil-and-bite option from a sporting goods store. To begin, we will take detailed digital images of the smile with an intraoral camera, combining them to create a 3D model. Next, we use the information to design and craft the mouthguard, so it’s custom-fitted for your smile.
Preventing Injuries
When people of all ages play sports or martial arts, there is the risk of a tooth becoming chipped, cracked, or even knocked loose or out completely. Even minor damage could require treatment to prevent the onset of tooth decay and dental infection. However, when you wear one of them, this could help safeguard your teeth against minor and severe injuries and accidents!
Treating TMD or Bruxism
TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, is a jaw joint disorder in which pressure on the joints causes problems opening and closing the mouth, and could lead to headaches, jaw pain, or a popping or clicking sensation in the smile. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, could also lead to these symptoms, as well as cracked or chipped teeth, tooth decay, and infection. To treat these issues without relying on surgery or medication, we may create an appliance. The device is worn as you sleep, and helps reposition the jaw to ease pressure on the joints and prevent symptoms. The appliance also provides a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth, which helps prevent any further injuries to the teeth from grinding or clenching.
A Sleep Apnea Solution
For people with airway restrictions that cause sleep apnea, an oral appliance could be used to reposition the jaw to keep airways open and prevent the collapse of soft tissues. People then avoid symptoms of sleep apnea, and rest easier.
If you have any questions about how we use these custom-made and comfortable mouthguards to prevent injuries and oral health issues for people of all ages, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?
We would like to help you avoid injury, or enjoy relief for pain in and around your jaw. To learn more about how our team protects your smile, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.