Oral appliance therapy supports comfort, healthy and lasting function, and well-being without surgery

Dr. Al A. Fallah distinguishes himself from other providers with competency in an array of advanced and holistic dentistry disciplines; however, he takes a particular interest in treating bruxism, sleep-disordered breathing, bite imbalances, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. These conditions can be related to each other; for instance, the stress placed on the jaw joints due to chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) may be associated with TMJD symptoms. These symptoms can be treated non-invasively with oral appliance therapy at Dentistry for San Diego in Carlsbad, California. They include:

• Jaw soreness
• Facial pain 
• Shoulder, neck, and back pain 
• Chronic migraines or tension headaches
• Frequent earaches 
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Ear fullness
• “Noisy jaw,” clicking or popping when opening or closing the mouth
• Limited range of motion; locked jaw 

Get to know oral appliances for TMJD

The term “oral appliance” simply refers to any device worn or applied to the mouth. Custom devices planned and designed at the dentist’s office conform to the one-of-a-kind contours and specifications of your teeth and tissues. 

As a holistic dentistry provider with extensive expertise in TMJ dysfunction and related conditions, Dr. Fallah strives to resolve and treat the underlying source of the cause of TMJDs. In doing so, he provides more than mere “symptom relief.” He restores healthy function, which supports long-term comfort, health, and well-being. 

Depending on what Dr. Fallah finds as the result of a thorough evaluation and the use of advanced diagnostics at our office, he may recommend the following: 

• Nightguards or oral splints cushion the force that is placed on the TMJs or jaw joints and the surrounding muscles and tissues, thereby easing the severity and frequency of symptoms 
• Orthotic appliances to improve the relationship between the jaw, head, and neck
• Neuromuscular orthodontic treatment to sustain the comfort and balance achieved with the orthotic appliance
• Restorative appliances, such as partials or dentures, as the loss of teeth can promote the imbalances that give rise to bite problems and TMJDs

Dr. Fallah is also a certified provider of DNA and mRNA devices. Unlike some appliances for bruxism or TMJDs, these devices actually remodel the tissues and anatomical structures responsible for airway-related issues, such as sleep-disordered breathing and sleep apnea. Still, other appliances, such as mandibular advancement appliances, reposition the jaw and tongue to open the airway. These appliances must be worn every night. DNA and mRNA present a permanent treatment because they actually alter oral structures and do not reposition tissues temporarily. 

To find out more about the many appliances available for discreet, comfortable, non-surgical, conservative, and effective treatment of TMJDs and other conditions, contact Dentistry for San Diego today. Call our office in Carlsbad, CA, at (760) 730-1600 to speak with our team and to schedule an appointment.