A night guard is a general dental appliance designed primarily to protect the teeth from
grinding and is typically flat and non-specific in its design. In contrast, a TMJ orthotic is a
precisely calibrated device designed to guide the jaw into a stable position while reducing stress
and pressure on the jaw joints. Orthotics are customized using a specific bite taken by the
doctor. They are intended to provide support for the jaw joints and to recapture the disc—not
simply to protect the teeth.