Occlusal Guards

Occlusal Guards are removable devices that fit over the teeth and are help to prevent the wearing down of teeth due to grinding and clenching.

Usually prescribed to patients that suffer from bruxism, the guards are made of considerable thickness (enough to function as a shock absorber) using either rigid of soft material.

There are 2 types of Occlusal Guards.

They can be Preventives (Sports – Bruxism and Teeth Grinding) or for TMJ Dysfunction.

TMJ Dysfunction (Temporomandibular Joint): When the joints on each side of your jaw are injured or damaged, it can lead to a localized pain disorder called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.

It can be caused by injury to the teeth or jaw, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, poor posture, stress, arthritis, and gum chewing.

The symptoms can be head and neck pain, facial pain, ear pain and headaches.

These guards are usually made of resin made from heat-cured acrylic, soft acrylic or light-cured composite and helps to relax the jaw.