Skip to content Custom night guards and TMJ splints to ease jaw strain and protect your teeth.
You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJs), one just in front of each ear. They connect your lower jaw to your skull and let you open, close, and move your jaw side to side. When the joints, the chewing muscles around them, or nearby tissues aren’t working comfortably, it’s called a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Many people simply call it “TMJ.”
TMD can turn everyday activities into chores. Chewing a steak or a crunchy apple might hurt. Talking for a long time can leave your jaw tired. Some people wake up with a stiff, sore jaw from clenching overnight. Others deal with headaches that seem to start near the temples. Because the symptoms come and go, it’s easy to put off getting them checked.
At SmileCraft Dental, we treat TMD conservatively. We begin with a thorough evaluation. Then we talk about custom night guards and TMJ splints, which are reversible options designed to protect your teeth and help your jaw muscles relax. Our office is on the Leander–Cedar Park line, close to Silverado Ranch, Avery Ranch, and Crystal Falls.
A night guard is a custom-made appliance you wear while you sleep. It helps protect your teeth from clenching and grinding (bruxism) and can ease jaw strain. It's made for your mouth, so it fits more securely than a one-size-fits-all guard.
A TMJ splint, also called an occlusal or stabilization splint, is a custom-made oral appliance. It's designed to support your jaw and help the chewing muscles relax. We'll explain when and how long to wear it based on your symptoms. A splint doesn't permanently change your bite or reshape your jaw.
After your evaluation, we’ll explain what we found, your options, and what each one costs so that we can decide together. You don’t have to decide that day.
If you choose a night guard or TMJ splint, we’ll record your teeth’s shape to make it custom. At your fitting, we’ll check comfort, make any adjustments, and show you how and when to wear it and how to clean it.
Follow-up visits let us fine-tune the appliance as your symptoms change. If your pain worsens or new symptoms appear, call us. We’ll coordinate with other healthcare providers if you need care beyond dentistry.
We’ll go over costs with you before your treatment begins. SmileCraft Dental is in network with most major PPO plans, and we also offer fee-for-service care. Coverage for night guards, TMJ splints, and TMJ care varies a lot from plan to plan. Some plans cover these appliances, and others don’t. Our front desk will check your benefits and give you an estimate before treatment so that you can plan. We can’t guarantee coverage or your exact out-of-pocket cost, but we’ll walk you through what we find.
No insurance? Consider our Dental Savings Plan.
Our in-house Dental Savings Plan is a yearly membership with no waiting periods, no annual limits, and no claim forms. Members get 30% off most treatments. Each plan year also includes routine preventive care:
Individual memberships are $449 a year. A family membership is $699 a year and covers two adults and two children under 16. Each additional child is $199. The Dental Savings Plan is a discount plan, not dental insurance.
If you’d like to spread out the cost of your night guard or splint, you can apply for financing through Cherry on our website. If you’re new to our office, check out our current new patient specials.
You’ll find us at 1513 E New Hope Dr Ste. A1, Leander, TX 78641, near Haute Spot and the Cedar Park Costco.
| Area | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Silverado Ranch | 5–8 min |
| Block House Creek | 5–8 min |
| Cedar Park | 5–10 min |
| Avery Ranch | 10–12 min |
| Crystal Falls | 10–12 min |
| Leander | 10–12 min |
| Mayfield Ranch | 10–15 min |
| Vista Oaks | 10–15 min |
| Apple Springs | 12–15 min |
| Bar W Ranch | 12–15 min |
| Brushy Creek | 12–15 min |
| Sendero Springs | 12–15 min |
| Travisso | 12–15 min |
| Lively Ranch | 15–18 min |
| Santa Rita Ranch | 15–20 min |
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic.
A night guard mainly protects your teeth from grinding and clenching during sleep. A TMJ splint supports the jaw and helps the chewing muscles relax. After your evaluation, we’ll explain which fits your symptoms.
Store-bought guards are available, but they aren’t made for your mouth and may not fit well. A custom appliance is shaped to your teeth and can be adjusted during follow-up visits. Those visits also let us monitor your teeth and jaw.
It varies from person to person. Some people notice changes fairly soon, while others need more time and adjustments. We’ll check your progress at follow-up visits.
A TMJ splint is a reversible appliance and isn’t designed to permanently change your bite. If your bite feels different, let us know so we can check it.
Let’s figure out what’s behind your jaw pain and talk through your options together.
Crafting Dental Excellence, One Smile at a Time™. Every Patient, Every Visit, Every Time.
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