Splint Therapy

Splint Therapy for TMD in The Woodlands, TX

At Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy we offer comfortable oral appliance therapy (OAT) to our patients who are looking for CPAP alternatives for treating their obstructive sleep apnea. 


Oral Appliances, also called Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD), can be used to treat sleep apnea as a 1st line therapy for people with mild or moderate sleep apnea or for those who cannot tolerate the use of a CPAP machine. 


The obvious advantage of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is it reduces the need for a bulky CPAP device with its associated masks, hoses and forced air that can make people uncomfortable. 


Sleep apnea specialists like Dr. Phillips can work closely with you to determine if this treatment option is right for you and help you find the correct device for your specific needs.

The Problem with Tension in the TMJ

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most used joints in the body, moving like a sliding hinge in various directions thousands of times a day as we smile, eat, and speak. This also makes it one of the most common joints to experience musculoskeletal pain and discomfort.



Structural problems with the TMJ or its surrounding tissues, ligaments, and muscles—including improper occlusions like underbites and overbites—can create constant tension and contraction in the TMJ that limits or hinders the movement necessary for proper function. This full and continuous engagement of the TMJ results in straining activity like clenching, grinding, or other unconscious jaw habits, as well as tension and pain in the muscles of the face, neck, shoulders, and back.


Splint Therapy to Treat TMD

Often the first course of recommended action, splint therapy is an integral component of a complete and comprehensive treatment plan for TMD. It relies on a removable, custom-made dental appliance such as a bite plate or mouthguard to help relax the joints and muscles in the jaw and release tension in the mouth.


Splint therapy appliances are constructed of hard acrylic resin and molded from an impression of your teeth, and may cover several or all of your upper teeth, lower teeth, or both. While there are two general types—repositioning and stabilization—splint therapy appliances are referred to in a variety of ways, including bite guards, night guards, occlusal appliances, mouthguards, intraoral appliances, and interocclusal appliances.


Regardless of the type or name of the appliance used in splint therapy, however, the goal is the same: to reduce the stress of jaw reflexes like clenching and allow the teeth and jaw to relax in a more neutral and natural position.


Splint therapy from Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy can help ease the symptoms associated with TMJ by restoring jaw-muscle function; reducing TMJ engagement so the bite muscles, neck, and shoulders can relax; and decreasing associated pain. It can also help prevent future damage by stabilizing the bite and protecting the teeth from wear and tear of bruxism (teeth grinding).


Splint therapy is also effective in relieving:

  • Stiffness, soreness, or tenderness in the muscles around the jaw
  • Popping while moving the jaw
  • Clenching and grinding
  • Pressure and stress on muscles
  • Earaches, headaches, and toothaches
  • Pain or discomfort in the face, shoulders, neck, and/or back
  • Tooth sensitivity resulting from bruxism
  • Facial pain originating from myofascial areas (myofascial pain disorder)


Give us a call today to schedule your consultation

Splint Therapy from Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy: A Simple Way to Treat Your TMJ

Splint therapy is an effective and non-invasive treatment option for the pain and discomfort associated with TMD, bruxism, and orofacial conditions, and it’s just one method available from the specialists at Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy.


In addition to a unique understanding of the physiology of the muscles and bony structures of the face and jaw, as well as extensive experience in diagnosing and treating TMD, sleep apnea, bruxism, and more, Dr. Phillips offers a holistic approach to care that gets to the root of your pain and symptoms. Through advanced diagnostic technology, detailed physical examinations, and access to the latest in proven and innovative treatment modalities, Dr. Phillips can develop a clear understanding of why you’re experiencing certain problems and create a customized plan for helping you feel, sleep, and live better.



You don’t have to live with pain. If you are suffering from pain associated with TMD, bruxism, or other orofacial conditions, schedule a consultation today and find out if splint therapy is right for you.



Happy Patients

"Made me feel like they truly cared about my well being"

I can highly recommend Dr Phillips and her wonderful staff. They made the office visit so pleasant and made me feel like they truly cared about my well being. The service they provide is so specialized and we are so lucky to have them near my neighborhood. TMJ has been my issue for many years and thanks to Dr Prehn and now Dr Phillips and this great staff, it has become a very manageable issue. Again, I would highly recommend them...it can be a life changing solution.


- Reba Brantley Strickland

"It has been years since I haven't experienced having a morning headache."

“Dr. Phillips and the whole team took excellent care of me -- from setting appointments and follow-ups, diagnosis and treatment. I was treated with compassion and courtesy. Dr. Phillips and her staff spent a great deal of time with me to understand my history and symptoms, perform a comprehensive exam and imaging, and provide a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan. And it worked! The first night I slept with my appliance the next morning I did not have a headache. It has been years since I haven't experienced having a morning headache. Totally worthwhile doctors visit. Terrific experience. Highly recommend.”


- Lydia Hall 

Contact Restore TMJ in The Woodlands for a consultation

Thanks to 3D imaging technology and scanning, we’re able to capture virtual scans of your upper airway anatomy to determine if (and how) an oral appliance can help you sleep better at night. Everything from your jaw shape to mouth composition affects how well you’re able to breath at night once your head has hit the pillow.


If you’re struggling with getting a good night’s rest or are frustrated with your quality of life because of sleep apnea, contact us right away. We’ll be happy to book a consultation for you to meet directly with Dr. Phillips at our practice in The Woodlands to learn more about how we can help. With a board certification in dental sleep medicine, Dr. Phillips knows how to help you find the relief you deserve.

Contact Us

Share by: