Custom Dental Guard for TMJ & Teeth Grinding in Balwyn, Melbourne
Protect your smile with professional dental guards for TMJ and teeth grinding. Dr. Rostkier's custom mouth guard solutions offer lasting relief and superior comfort.
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Stop TMJ Pain with Custom Dental Guards in Balwyn
Are you waking up with headaches, jaw pain, or worn-down teeth? You’re not alone. Teeth grinding (bruxism) and TMJ disorders affect millions of Australians, often disrupting sleep and causing long-term dental damage. At our Balwyn dental clinic, Dr. Steven Rostkier and our experienced team provide custom-fitted mouth guards designed specifically to protect your teeth and alleviate TMJ pain.
With over 25 years of experience in preventative dentistry, Dr. Rostkier understands that each patient’s teeth grinding patterns and jaw alignment are unique. That’s why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Using state-of-the-art digital technology, we create precisely fitted mouth guards for TMJ and teeth grinding that provide optimal comfort and maximum protection.
Our custom mouth guards help with:
- Protecting your teeth from teeth grinding damage
- Relieving TMJ-related jaw pain and discomfort
- Improving your sleep quality
- Preventing expensive dental repairs
- Reducing headaches and facial pain
Whether you’re experiencing mild teeth grinding or severe TMJ symptoms, we’re here to help you find pain relief with a personalised treatment approach. Located conveniently in Balwyn, we serve patients from Canterbury, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Box Hill, Surrey Hills, Mont Albert, Deepdene, Kew, and Doncaster.
Ready to stop grinding and start smiling? Book your consultation today and take the first step toward protecting your teeth and jaw health.
What are Night Guards?
Night guards are custom-fitted mouth guards that protect your teeth and jaw from the effects of grinding and teeth clenching. They create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing direct contact during sleep and reducing painful pressure on your jaw joint.
Your custom mouth guard essentially cushions the impact when you grind or clench during sleep. Unlike over the counter guards, custom mouth guards from Dr Rostkier are precisely designed for your mouth using digital scans. This ensures a comfortable fit that won’t interfere with your sleep or fall out during the night.
How a properly fitted night guard helps:
- Absorbs the force of grinding and jaw clenching
- Reduces pressure on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) joints
- Protects tooth enamel from wear
- Prevents chips and cracks in your top and bottom teeth
- Helps maintain proper jaw alignment
- Prevents damage to existing dental work
- Can improve your sleep quality and reduce pain
Most of our patients notice less jaw muscle pain, fewer headaches, and reduced facial tension within a few weeks of regular night guard use. Unlike bulky over the counter guards, your custom fitted mouth guard stays securely in place while you sleep.
A Better Investment Than Restoration
Getting a custom mouth guard costs much less than fixing damaged teeth later. Regular night guard use can help you avoid expensive treatments like crowns, implants, or TMJ surgery down the track.
Do You Need a Night Guard?
A custom night guard might be essential for protecting your oral health if you experience any signs of teeth grinding or temporomandibular joint disorder. Here are the symptoms to watch for:
Common Teeth Grinding Symptoms:
- Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
- Tooth sensitivity from excessive teeth clenching
- Tight or tired jaw muscles
- Morning headaches
- Disrupted sleep
TMJ Warning Signs:
- Jaw pain or tenderness in the temporomandibular joint
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth
- Difficulty chewing
- Limited jaw movement
- Facial pain affecting facial muscles
- Earaches
Book a consultation with Dr Rostkier to discuss whether a custom mouth guard is right for you.
Long-term Effects of Untreated Grinding
Without proper protection from a night guard, teeth grinding can lead to severe dental problems. Over time, you may experience cracked teeth, worn enamel, and increased sensitivity. TMJ disorder symptoms often worsen, potentially causing chronic pain and difficulty with daily activities like eating and speaking.
Impact on Your Oral Health
Continuous grinding puts painful pressure on your teeth and jaw joints. This can damage existing dental work, accelerate tooth wear, and contribute to gum recession. Early intervention with a custom fitted mouth guard helps prevent these complications and protects your investment in your smile.
Why Choose Dr. Rostkier for Your TMJ Mouth Guard
25+ Years of Dental Experience
Since 1999, Dr Rostkier has helped thousands of patients find relief from teeth grinding and jaw muscle pain. His extensive experience ensures you receive expert care tailored to your TMJ symptoms.
Advanced Digital Technology
We use state-of-the-art intraoral scanning for precise digital impressions. This technology creates more accurate custom fitted mouth guards than traditional moulding methods.
Personalised Treatment Approach
Dr Rostkier takes time to understand your specific symptoms and concerns. Your mouth guard is customised to address your unique grinding patterns and bite alignment, whether you need a basic night guard or specialised oral appliance.
Comprehensive TMJ Treatment
Beyond custom mouth guards, we can discuss additional treatments like orthodontic treatment if needed, and provide guidance on managing your temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms.
Ready to protect your smile and find relief from TMJ pain?
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about our custom mouth guards.
What Our Patients Say About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a dental guard for TMJ is highly effective for relief. TMJ mouth guards work by reducing pressure on jaw joints, preventing teeth clenching and grinding, properly aligning your jaw while you sleep, and helping relax tense jaw muscles.
Most patients experience significant pain relief within 2-4 weeks of consistent night guard use. Custom fitted mouth guards are particularly effective because they ensure proper jaw alignment and even pressure distribution.
While mouth guards don't cure TMJ disorder, they address a major contributing factor (teeth grinding and jaw clenching) and help prevent further joint damage.
For TMJ treatment, a custom fit night guard with dual-laminate construction is typically most effective. This type combines a soft inner layer for comfort against teeth with a hard outer layer for durability and proper jaw alignment, plus precise fit for even pressure distribution.
A stabilisation splint may also be recommended for more severe TMJ disorders, as this oral appliance provides therapeutic jaw positioning. While other options like soft mouth guards can help with moderate grinding, dual-laminate night guards provide the best balance of comfort and therapeutic benefit for most TMJ patients.
In my experience treating TMJ patients, I typically recommend starting with the basics: a custom mouth guard for TMJ, some simple jaw exercises, and being mindful of habits like teeth clenching during the day.
For most patients, I also suggest avoiding really hard or chewy foods for a while, using heat packs when experiencing jaw muscle pain, and learning some basic stress management since tension often makes TMJ disorder worse.
If a night guard and lifestyle changes aren't enough, we might look at splint therapy, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain. In severe cases, some patients benefit from Botox injections for jaw muscles, though that's not common.
The key is creating a treatment plan that fits your specific TMJ symptoms and situation.
A TMJ splint (like a repositioning splint or stabilisation splint) is specifically designed to treat temporomandibular joint disorder by adjusting how your lower jaw sits. These are usually made from hard materials and often require splint therapy protocols that may include daytime wear initially.
Night guards focus mainly on protecting your teeth from grinding damage and teeth clenching. They're worn only while you sleep and come in different materials depending on what you need for moderate grinding or maximum protection.
Both types of mouth guards can help with TMJ symptoms and teeth grinding, but TMJ splints are more therapeutic for jaw joint alignment issues, while night guards are primarily protective against teeth grinding damage.
Absolutely. We design your custom fitted mouth guard to fit comfortably over crowns, bridges, and implants while providing maximum protection. During your visit, I'll carefully assess your current dental work to ensure the mouth guard's design complements and safeguards your restorations. Many patients with extensive dental work successfully use custom mouth guards to protect their investment.
The process takes two appointments:
First Visit:
- Examination of teeth and jaw joints
- Digital scan of your teeth using our intraoral scanner
- Discussion of your TMJ symptoms and mouth guard options
Second Visit (1-2 weeks later):
- Fitting of your custom night guard
- Adjustment for optimal comfort and maximum protection
- Care instructions including cleaning with hot water
- Schedule follow-up check
Over the counter mouth guards use a "one-size-fits-most" approach that rarely works well for teeth grinding or TMJ disorders. They're often bulky, fall out during sleep, and need frequent replacement because they're made from cheaper materials.
Our custom mouth guards are made from precise digital scans of your teeth. They fit perfectly, stay in place while you sleep, and are made from premium materials that last for years with proper care. The superior fit and durability make them a much better investment for protecting against teeth grinding and providing TMJ pain relief.
Most private health funds provide coverage for custom mouth guards under their dental extras. The amount covered varies between policies. We can process your health fund claim on the spot through HICAPS and discuss flexible payment options for any gap. Contact your health fund for specific coverage details regarding night guards and TMJ treatment.
Ready to protect your smile and find relief from TMJ pain?
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about our custom mouth guards.