Following diagnostic splint therapy to solve the problem of dislocated jaw joints, most patients have a space between their back teeth. The jaw has been moved to a temporary position where it is pain free. If the patient moves the jaw back to the original pretreatment position, the pain will come back. Therefore, to obtain a more permanent solution, orthodontics is often the treatment of choice, placing braces on the teeth and using up and down elastics to allow the back teeth to touch so the patient will be able to chew properly and with no pain. This is a more permanent solution to jaw stabilization and TMJ health. This stage can last from 12 months to 18 months depending on the severity of the case. If the space between the back teeth is large (more than 3 mm.), then this is often the treatment of choice.

If the space between the back teeth is minimal (less than 3 mm.) or if the back teeth have large restorations or missing teeth, then the best option might be to close the spaces between the back teeth with crowns and bridges.

If the patient has limited financial resources, often the treatment of choice would be the placement of an overlay partial denture over the lower back teeth in order to fill the spaces between the back teeth and to stabilize the jaw (TMJ).

If the patient has an old denture or dentures with the teeth all worn down, new dentures could be made with longer back teeth to fill in the spaces between the back teeth.

If the patient has missing back teeth, partial dentures could be made to fill in the spaces between the back teeth.

Overdentures sit on top of your own teeth to recreate the orthodic position with a more streamlined appliance.