Published September 2026
- When the jaw joint clicks, locks or hurts, a splint can help it rest
- It fits over the teeth and holds the lower jaw in a resting position
- It's adjusted over several visits as the joint and muscles settle
- Those adjustments are what shape it to keep resting the joint
- It's usually one part of a longer plan, alongside exercises or other care
Who usually does it
general dentist. General dentists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons with TMJ experience.
One question worth asking
How many adjustment visits does this usually take?
Adjusting a jaw joint splint
D7881. A small adjustment to an existing joint splint.
A bite splint made to rest the jaw joint and muscles when the joint clicks, locks or hurts. It looks like a nightguard but is designed and adjusted for the joint rather than for tooth wear.
The splint is made to hold the lower jaw in a position that lets the joint and the muscles rest, and it is adjusted over several visits as things settle. It looks like a nightguard, but the design and the adjusting are aimed at the joint rather than at tooth wear. It is normally one step in a longer plan that can include exercises and other treatment.
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