Nightguards & TMJ Therapy in Johnson City, TN

Bruxism & Jaw Pain Relief Dr. John Nauss, DMD ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
Bruxism Protection & TMJ Relief

Protect your teeth from grinding wear and relieve chronic jaw joint tension.

Clenching and grinding your teeth during sleep (bruxism) can exert up to 250 pounds of force per square inch, leading to cracked teeth, worn enamel, and painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

Dr. John Nauss designs custom-crafted, dual-laminate occlusal nightguards that comfortably cushion your bite, decompress the TMJ jaw joints, and relax overworked facial muscles while you sleep.

Unlike bulky over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards that can shift your bite, our precision laboratory guards fit snugly over your teeth, providing durable protection and restorative sleep.

Benefits of a Custom Dental Nightguard

Wake up free from morning headaches, jaw stiffness, and tooth soreness.

  • Prevents Tooth Fractures and Wear: Protects natural enamel, crowns, and veneers from severe nocturnal grinding damage and micro-fractures.
  • Relieves Jaw and Facial Pain: Balances occlusal forces, reducing inflammation in the temporomandibular joint and facial muscles.
  • Eliminates Morning Headaches: Stops tension headaches triggered by intense nighttime clenching of the temporalis and masseter muscles.
  • Custom Dual-Laminate Comfort: Soft inner liner cushions teeth while a durable hard acrylic exterior provides lasting protection.

Custom Fabrication and Fitting Process

We take high-precision digital intraoral scans of your upper and lower teeth with zero messy impression goop. Your digital bite record is sent to a specialized dental laboratory to fabricate your custom appliance.

At your fitting appointment, Dr. Nauss checks the nightguard for a snug, secure fit and makes microscopic adjustments to ensure balanced, even contact across all teeth.

Care and Maintenance of Your Nightguard

Rinse your guard with cool water and brush it gently with liquid soap or non-abrasive cleanser each morning. Store it dry in its protective case and bring it to your six-month dental checkups for evaluation.

Book your visit

Let's get it right.

Tell us a little about what you need and we'll be in touch to find a time that works. New patients of every age are welcome, and if it's been a while, that's fine too.

Call (423) 282-5208 Accepting new patients
HoursMonday to Thursday: 8am to 4:30pm
Friday to Sunday: Closed

Common Questions

Nightguards & TMJ Care FAQ.

Frequently asked questions regarding bruxism, TMJ symptoms, and custom dental appliances.

How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?

Common symptoms include waking with dull headaches, sore jaw muscles, tooth sensitivity, chipped enamel, a clicking jaw joint, or a sleeping partner hearing grinding sounds.

Why is a custom nightguard better than a store-bought guard?

Store-bought guards are bulky, often fall out during sleep, and the soft chewy material can encourage more clenching and alter your bite. Custom guards fit snugly and balance bite forces properly.

How do I care for my nightguard?

Rinse and gently brush it each morning, store it dry in its case, and bring it to your routine exams so we can check the fit and wear.

Will wearing a nightguard feel uncomfortable at night?

There is a brief adjustment period of 3 to 5 nights. Because custom guards are made to your exact dental anatomy, they stay in place comfortably.

Can a nightguard help TMJ disorder?

A nightguard is often a first-line, non-surgical treatment for TMJ symptoms because it takes pressure off the joint and gives overworked muscles a chance to relax.

Does dental insurance cover custom nightguards?

Some plans partially cover nightguards when grinding or TMJ is diagnosed. We're in network with Delta Dental Premier only, we'll help you file out-of-network claims with other plans, and we offer a membership plan.

Have more questions? Call our Johnson City office at (423) 282-5208.