When TMJ Pain Keeps You Up at Night
Debbie's TMJ pain was severe, and it interfered with her sleep every night.
Over the years she tried a number of approaches: medications, which helped a little, and physical therapy, which also helped somewhat. She had also been given a more complex splint covering both her upper and lower teeth. She found it as painful as the TMJ itself, and ended up choosing each night which pain she would live with, so she stopped using it.
That experience is a reminder that not every appliance is the same. The design, the fit, and how the appliance is made all matter for comfort, and for whether someone can actually wear it consistently.
When Dr. Fernandez took over the practice, Debbie raised her TMJ and he offered a splint. She describes the experience as completely different: the appliance covers only her upper teeth, the process of making it was gentle and comfortable, and it relieved the pain. She keeps it in a small case by her nightstand, pops it in at night and rinses it daily. She says she no longer wakes up with pain and is able to sleep. Results vary from person to person, but a custom oral appliance is usually where we start: a conservative, reversible way to take strain off the jaw.
Debbie has been Dr. Fernandez's patient for many years, and says she is very grateful for the treatment.