When we decide to use a jaw appliance, and when we don't

What follows combines several people's visits into one reconstructed account. It is not any one person's story, and anything that could identify someone has been removed.

What we often hear

• "They say I need to wear an appliance — do I really have to?"
• "I'm hesitant because I'd have to wear it for a long time."
• "Isn't there a way to get better without one?"

When do we use an appliance?

When hands-on treatment alone can't hold the jaw in place. We don't recommend it from the start.

If after several sessions of acupuncture and hands-on treatment the improvement only lasts that day and keeps coming back, that's when we discuss it. Most of these cases involve a large or long-standing misalignment.

What does it do?

It's a device worn in the mouth. It supports the jaw in a comfortable position, creating some room in the narrowed joint and evening out the height between the two sides.

We take an impression and make it to fit your mouth. It's usually worn while sleeping, and depending on your condition, sometimes for part of the day too.

⚠️ What you should know before using one

Wearing it for a long time can change how your teeth meet. We tell you this upfront rather than hiding it.

That's why we set how many hours and for how long you'll wear it, and check and adjust it at set times. "It feels comfortable, so I'll just keep wearing it" is the most risky approach.

If you feel your bite changing, let us know then. If needed, we look at it together with a dentist.

While wearing it, sore gums, extra saliva or slightly awkward speech are common. But if your teeth hurt or one particular tooth seems to touch first, it needs adjusting.

Do we sometimes decide against it?

Yes — when your gums or teeth aren't in good shape, for growing children, and when hands-on treatment alone keeps the jaw in place.

We're especially careful with children. Applying force for a long time to growing bones can change other things, so if we decide to use one, we do it together with a dentist.

What are the limits of this approach?

We don't say an appliance will definitely make you better. If nothing changes after a few weeks, we won't tell you to keep wearing it.

One more thing: we don't claim ours is better or worse than appliances made by dentists. We don't have data comparing the two.

If you have the same symptoms

1. We don't recommend it from the start — we discuss it when the problem keeps coming back.
2. Wearing it for a long time can change how your teeth meet.
3. "It's comfortable, so I'll keep wearing it" is the riskiest approach — we recheck at set times.
4. If you feel your bite changing, tell us right away.
5. If nothing changes after a few weeks, we won't tell you to keep wearing it.

We look at the neck, jaw and back together. Only by finding where it started can we keep the same spot from stiffening up again and again.

If the same spot keeps stiffening, or the tension starts in your neck and climbs up to your head, come in and get measured. It doesn't take long to find where it started.

Whether an appliance can be used differs from person to person, depending on the condition of the jaw, gums and teeth.