Day/ Night time splints , how long to wear.

[kevykev416]

So 8 months ago I was given a day and night time splint to stop my jaw click from my right jaw. I don't have no pain just a click. So unfortunately my tmj doctor isn't the brightest guy in the word. He left the practice 7 months later.

Til this day my click is still present and I've read somewhere tmj splints can be worn for a certain amount of time. This new guy says it'll take a year or so but I don't trust him.

I Ned help guys attached to this post are pics of my splints and a description. Please confirm if these are OK to wear for long periods of time?

 

[Dr M]

I usually treat the TMJ only if it is symptomatic. A lot of my patients have a click, without any symptoms, and this is okay.
I prescribe a hard acrylic bite plate, for night time wear only, which helps the muscles to relax. In severe cases, I prescribe a muscle relaxant with some anti-inflammatory meds, and then in other cases botox injection into the muscles of mastication. If all of this fails to relieve the pain, I then refer to a Maxilo-facial surgeon, for further investigation into the joint, and he then takes it from there.
In your case, it doesn't sound like you have any symptoms. I would suggest stop wearing that appliance, and maybe consider getting a hard acrylic bite plate for now.
Regular check-ups are advised though.

 

[kevykev416]

I usually treat the TMJ only if it is symptomatic. A lot of my patients have a click, without any symptoms, and this is okay.
I prescribe a hard acrylic bite plate, for night time wear only, which helps the muscles to relax. In severe cases, I prescribe a muscle relaxant with some anti-inflammatory meds, and then in other cases botox injection into the muscles of mastication. If all of this fails to relieve the pain, I then refer to a Maxilo-facial surgeon, for further investigation into the joint, and he then takes it from there.
In your case, it doesn't sound like you have any symptoms. I would suggest stop wearing that appliance, and maybe consider getting a hard acrylic bite plate for now.
Regular check-ups are advised though.

Thanks. Currently my lower jaw seems to shifted toward. I read something about phase 1 phase 2 tmj treatment that it's imperative to get braces after tmj treatment. Is this normal?

 

[Dr M]

I would suggest that you seek the opinion of an orthodontist in order to determine if braces might be needed in order to stabilize your bite, which could assist with the TMJ issue