Oral appliances are devices that are placed inside the mouth to treat various dental or medical conditions. There are many different types of oral appliances, each designed for a specific purpose. Some examples include:
- Mouth guards. Mouth guards are designed to protect the teeth and jaw during contact sports or other physical activities. They can also be used to prevent teeth grinding and clenching during sleep.
- Night guards. Night guards are similar to mouth guards, but they are designed specifically to prevent teeth grinding and clenching during sleep.
- Orthodontic appliances. Orthodontic appliances are used to straighten teeth and correct bite problems. Examples include traditional braces, Invisalign®, and retainers.
- Prosthetic appliances. Prosthetic appliances are used to replace missing teeth or parts of the jaw. Examples include dentures and bridges.
Oral appliances are often custom-made to fit each patient’s specific needs and are designed to be comfortable and effective. Dr. Talluri can help determine if an oral appliance is right for you and recommend the best type of appliance for your needs.
Custom-Fitted Oral Appliances
Oral appliances offer simple, non-invasive treatment for a variety of conditions. Regardless of the application, every appliance we prescribe is custom-crafted just for you. Whether we’re treating nighttime sleep grinding, bite problems, or other jaw joint disorders, appliance therapy may be a valuable complement to your treatment. We use a variety of innovative designs depending on your treatment goals and preferences.
Bruxism Mouth Guard
Some patients develop a subconscious habit of grinding their teeth, either during the day or at night. In many cases, the abrasive action occurs only during sleep, and for only a few seconds at a time. If you wake up with a sore jaw or a morning headache, chances are you are grinding your teeth during the night. In some patients, enlarged jaw muscles develop on the sides of the face from this nighttime grinding. These muscles are, ounce for ounce, the strongest in the body, which means they can do a lot of unnecessary damage.
The unusual activity not only wears down teeth and strains the overworked muscles, but compressive forces can also damage the complex jaw joints on one or both sides. Damage to the joints may lead to arthritic changes, chronic pain, and popping or clicking. Once these changes settle in, reversing their condition may become impossible.
Protect Your Smile with a Custom Mouthguard
Whether you're in sports or looking for relief from TMJ, Dr. Talluri and his skilled team offer protection in the form of custom-crafted mouthguards. Schedule your consultation with our dentist today to protect your smile!
