Does anybody use this at night? I will be getting mine today from the dentist. After my drs appts nobody can "truley" figure out why I get this face pain/pressue,and morning headaches..All tests from ENT came back that I have no sinus related problems. I have noticed I have been clenching my teeth/jaw during sleep, but never put two and two together. I talked to the dentist. Although I have never been diagnosed with TMJ/TMD that they feel it could be a cause for my morning headaches and face pain. The dentist did tell me that it doesnt cure all people. Some people have great results wearing it, others feel no differece. So all I can do is try...

By Annie2 on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:51 am:

I have TMD. I used to use a splint a few years back because I do grind my teeth at night but I don't use it anymore. I just got out of the habit, I guess. Are you getting a hard one or soft? I have had both and found they were the same. Hope you see results.

By Jackie on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:03 am:

I feel dumb, I have no idea if its a hard one or soft one? LOL... My appt is at 11:30, so I will find out then.When they made the impression for it 2 weeks ago, I had flashbacks of impressions made for retainers following my braces LOL...That was sooooooo many years ago

By Marcia on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:43 am:

My 14 year old has had headaches for a few years. About a year and a half ago I took her to the neurologist for an EEG, and it was normal. The same day, she had a dental appointment. The dentist told me she was grinding to the point of breaking her teeth. I asked him if that could be causing the headaches, and he said it could. I never would have put 2 and 2 together if we hadn't seen both of them in the same day. He molded her for a bite plate, and her headaches have really improved.

By Bellajoe on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 11:50 am:

I work for a dentist. He does make something called an NTI, i have no idea what it stands for but it is an occlusal guard. He says that if they don't like it or it doesn't help, they can return it and get the money back. In 10 years, no one has returned one. I hope it works for you too

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 11:58 am:

Me, too. About 18 years now, and still using one. I am on my third one. I grind something fierce. I was 20 when I started getting really bad headaches. I happened to go to the dentist and mention it, and he told me that I was grinding my teeth and we set up a time for an impression. When I started wearing it, my headaches went away.

I also occasionally get sinus headaches. I have been to an allergy doctor and tested but couldn't afford weekly shots at the time. But she said that some headaches were caused by sinus pressure, and that's most likely the cause of mine. I only get them occasionally, like when I have a cold or when the weather is just right.

Lately I find that when I have a headaches, I also have a stiff neck. When I sleep on my back without a pillow the stiffness goes away and usually the headaches do, too. Of course, if my hubby would just give me a good neck massage, that would be wonderful, too...

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 02:06 pm:

My first TMJ splint was a Godsend! You will be amazed at the difference it will make if that is indeed part of your problem with your headaches. And I bet it is!

It wasn't even so much that it kept me from grinding my teeth, but that it raised my upper jaw up to a more comfortable position.

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 02:10 pm:

By the way... I wore mine 24/7 for the first six weeks just to give my jaw time to recuperate. I even had to leave it in to eat. So even if your dr. doesn't tell you to, you may want to try it during the day some to see if it helps.

By Jackie on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 06:16 pm:

Well that was one long appt LOL... I was there for over an hour. Apparently I didnt know it took so long to make it just right. There was a lot of, "bite down with your back teeth", then it was take it out, shave part if it down, back in, "move bottom jaw to left, move to the right"..take out, shave some more..back in and out Whew...that was long. I had Faith there as well, she colored and talked to her self and the window for a long time LOL...
I have it for my top teeth...apparently you can have it for either or, he said he would prefer for me to have the top one, so I said OK...It is sort of bulky,well that is what it feels like, it doesnt look big,but it feels huge.
I did find out that it is hard and soft.
It should be interesting sleeping with it tonight.I have to go back in 2 weeks to make sure everything is AOK..

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:15 pm:

One word of advice is to keep it up and away from pets, like up in the medicine cabinet. A couple of years ago, my dog got a hold of my second one, which is why I am on my third.

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:47 pm:

I've had top and bottom, and I definitely liked the top much better. It felt like it worked so much better.

The bulkiness is what makes it work!

By Marcia on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:57 pm:

Lisa, I have a feeling our dog ate Nicole's first, too. It was gone within weeks. The dentist told us dogs love them!

By Jackie on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 07:39 am:

Yes he did warn me about the dogs. He said "You dont have dogs do you?" I said "Yes, I have 3 large dogs, and sometimes more" LOL... I have it in my medicine cabinet. It was odd having it in my mouth,but I fell asleep as usual and really had no problems. My husband and son didnt think I would make it a whole night with it.I did notice my lips seemed more dry, so I will have to keep a chapstick or something by my bed.