Splints Vs. Night Guards: Which One Do You Need For Jaw Pain?

By Author: 32smiles
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You visit the dentist because you have jaw pain or you’ve been grinding your teeth. The doctor recommends an "Occlusal Splint."
Then you go home, Google it, and see ads for "Night Guards" on Amazon or at the local chemist for a fraction of the price. You pause.
"Are they trying to rip me off? Isn't it just a piece of plastic to put between my teeth?"
We hear this question often at our clinics in Koregaon Park and Shivaji Nagar. And the answer is crucial: No, they are not the same thing. Mistaking one for the other can actually make your jaw pain worse.
Here is the honest breakdown of the difference between a Night Guard and a TMJ Splint, and how to know which one you actually need.
1. The Night Guard: "The Helmet"
Think of a standard Night Guard like a helmet for a cricket player.
Its Job: To protect the structure. If you grind your teeth (Bruxism), the guard acts as a sacrificial barrier. You grind down the plastic instead of your enamel.
How it Fits: It usually fits over your upper or lower teeth.
The Material: Often soft or dual-laminate (soft inside, hard outside).
...
... Who Needs It: Someone who has no jaw pain but wants to stop chipping their teeth or damaging their expensive veneers/crowns.
The Problem:
While it protects your teeth, a standard night guard does not stop the muscles from firing. In fact, soft, rubbery guards can sometimes trigger a "chew reflex," causing you to clench harder in your sleep, which can increase morning headaches.
2. The TMJ Splint: "The Crutches"
A TMJ Splint (or Orthotic) is a medical device designed for your joint and muscles, not just your teeth. Think of it like crutches for a broken leg—it takes the weight off to let the area heal.
Its Job: To reposition the jaw. It is precision-engineered to slightly open your bite and slide your jaw into a specific "neutral" position where the muscles completely relax and the joint disc is uncompressed.
The Material: Hard, rigid acrylic. This is essential. A hard surface allows your opposing teeth to glide smoothly, preventing the "lock" of clenching.
Who Needs It: Anyone with jaw clicking, locking, ear pain, or chronic tension headaches.
The Cost Difference Explained
This is the big one.
A chemist-bought guard costs ₹500 (approx). A custom Night Guard might cost ₹5,000–₹8,000 (approx). A TMJ Splint is a higher investment.
Why is a Splint more expensive?
You aren't paying for the plastic; you are paying for the calibration.
Precise Measurements: We use digital scans and sometimes T-Scan technology to map your bite forces down to the micron.
The Bite Registration: We don't just take a mold of your teeth; we record the exact relationship between your upper and lower jaw in a relaxed state.
Adjustments: A splint requires multiple follow-up visits. Dr. Milind Darda will meticulously grind and polish the surface of the splint over several weeks as your muscles relax and your bite changes. It is an active treatment process, not a one-time product.
The Risk of DIY
We have seen patients try to treat their TMJ pain with a "Boil-and-Bite" guard they bought online.
This is dangerous.
These generic guards are not balanced. If the plastic is thicker on the left side than the right, it acts like a rock in your shoe—throwing your entire jaw alignment off balance. This can turn a simple clicking jaw into a permanently locked jaw or severe muscle spasms.
Verdict: Which One Do You Need?
Scenario A: "I wake up with no pain, but my dentist says my teeth are getting flat."
You likely need a Custom Night Guard. It’s insurance for your enamel.
Scenario B: "I wake up with headaches, my jaw clicks when I eat, or I have pain in my face/neck."
You need a TMJ Splint. A standard night guard might protect your teeth, but it won't stop the pain. You need to treat the root cause (the joint/muscle dysfunction).
Don't Guess with Your Health.
If you are confused about TMJ splint cost in Pune or whether you need a guard, let us check your joint health first.
Book a Diagnostic Consultation with Dr. Milind Darda.
Locations: Koregaon Park | Shivaji Nagar | Satara Road
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Splints vs. Night Guards: Which One Do You Need?
General Dentist vs. Orthodontist: Who Should Fix Your Smile?
Does Your Jaw Click When You Eat? Here’s What It Means
FAQs (Schema-Ready)
Q1. Are night guards and TMJ splints the same?
No. Night guards protect teeth; TMJ splints reposition the jaw and relax muscles.
Q2. Can a night guard worsen jaw pain?
Yes. Soft guards can increase clenching and muscle tension in TMJ cases.
Q3. Who needs a TMJ splint?
Patients with jaw clicking, locking, headaches, or facial pain.
Q4. Why is a TMJ splint more expensive?
It requires precise calibration, bite analysis, and multiple adjustments.