Services
TMJ & Preventive Oral Appliances
TMJ Therapy:
Common in women between ages 20 and 40, TMJ dysfunction can cause severe headaches or earaches in patients of any age. About 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ dysfunction.The TMJ, or temporomandibular joints, hold the lower jawbone to the skull. Since the joints are close to the ears, TMJ dysfunction sufferers will sometimes hear a clicking sound as their jaw moves, and they may experience difficulty chewing, tenderness in the jaw, and limited movement or locking of the jaw. TMJ dysfunction result from a misaligned bite, aggravated bruxism (teeth grinding), an injury, tension and stress, and even arthritis.
Dr. Thompson has a history of working with TMJ patients and can often repair bite misalignment with non-surgical therapy. Call Dr. Thompson if you think you may suffer from TMJ dysfunction. If your pain is severe, Dr. Thompson can refer you to a specialist for physical therapy or pain management therapy.
Sleep Disorder Relief:
Having trouble sleeping because of snoring? Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Dr. Thompson can fit you with a dental device that will greatly reduce or even eliminate your snoring! Let Dr. Thompson help you find a good night’s rest again.Mouthguards:
Dr. Thompson can fashion a customized athletic mouthguard that will protect your favorite athlete's invaluable smile. He will make a mold of your athlete’s teeth and create the mouthguard for a comfortable fit. Don’t take chances with over-the-counter protective guards that may not fit properly – because a smile is a terrible thing to waste! Learn more about mouthguards here.Teeth Grinding Relief:
Have you awakened from your sleep with a tired jaw? Has your sleep partner awakened you to ask you to please stop grinding your teeth? Bruxism, or grinding your teeth, is somewhat common in young children, but they tend to outgrow it by adolescence. For adults, bruxism can be a sleep-time manifestation of anxiety or anger. Headaches, earaches, and increased tooth sensitivity are symptoms of bruxism. While it can be distracting for your sleep partner, bruxism can wear down your teeth and even bring about TMJ dysfunction. Dr. Thompson can make a customized NTI-tss or nightguard for you that will keep upper and lower teeth from touching. The NTI-tss or nightguard will not obstruct your breathing and will prevent long-term damage to your teeth.
If you think you or someone you love would benefit from a preventive oral appliance, schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson. Our conveniently located Collierville office serves patients from Germantown, Olive Branch, and surrounding areas.
