Clench Relief® Explainer Video for Dentists

Brian: First, David, tell us about the process of getting the Clench Relief mouthguard cleared by the FDA.

Dr. Frey: It was anything but easy. Nothing with the government is. I had to submit studies, detailed documentation—essentially the entire technique. In all, it took two-and-a-half years and a significant investment. But if patients like Clara end up pain-free, every bit of it is worth it.

Brian: What’s the primary difference between the Clench Relief mouthpiece and other devices for TMJ?

Dr. Frey: The key is what we call the CRAG—the Clench Relief Alignment Guide. It’s an anterior guide that lets the lower jaw drop down and move slightly forward, positioning the muscles, joint, and bite in what we call the “zone of comfort.” That alignment is what delivers relief from TMJ symptoms.

Brian: Which teeth does the mouthpiece actually rest on?

Dr. Frey: Only the posterior teeth make contact; nothing in the front touches. Think of the lower jaw as a lever: you want force applied at the meat of the lever, not the tip. Contact on the back teeth vectors the load straight up the center of the head—exactly where it belongs.

Brian: How long should a patient wear the Clench Relief mouthpiece?

Dr. Frey: The FDA approves it as a short-term device for up to three months at a time. We advise swapping out the putty every three months. That gives you a fresh, clean fit and keeps the appliance effective.

Brian: You mentioned the “zone of comfort.” How does a patient find that position?

Dr. Frey: The alignment guide has grooves for both the upper and lower incisors. For patients with a deep bite, it brings the mandible down and forward, away from the back wall of the joint. The putty fills the space and holds the jaw in that precise therapeutic position.

Brian: Would you prescribe the Clench Relief mouthpiece to every TMJ patient? What would rule someone out?

Dr. Frey: We avoid prescribing it when there are too many missing teeth or if teeth are very mobile, which suggests advanced periodontal disease—something that has to be treated first. Beyond that, any patient over eighteen with stable teeth can benefit.