Selecting the right FreeBite

There are 10 FreeBites to choose from, and we would like to lead you to the right one, step by step:

1. The Type

FreeBite therapy cushions are mainly geared to release muscle tension due to compression in the TMJ’s which is a common occurrence in TMJ patients. But maybe you do not even have joint compression – how can you find out? There is a way which is quick and actually not dirty at all:

• Stand up straight and hold your head straight (not turned to one side or the other.
• Open your mouth wide several times.
• Slowly let your mouth drop shut.
• Observe the first contact that occurs between upper and lower teeth.
• If it is on an incisor, you may have joint compression and a FreeBite therapy cushion may be right for you.
• If it is on a back tooth, joint compression may not be your main problem and a FreeBite comfort may be the better choice for you.

If you arrived at a FreeBite comfort, you are almost done! There is only one shape and the only remaining question concerns the filling: Air simply may feel slightly lower than gel, because it has more give!

Content:

1. The Type

2. The Filling

3. The Height

4. FreeBite Sets

2. The Filling

If you already tried a bite cushion, it was probably fluid-filled. Most of them are made by welding plastic foil together and filling them with anything else than fluid is hardly practical.

FreeBites, by contrast, are made by a 3-D extrusion forming process and the casings will maintain their shape even when empty. So an air-filling actually becomes possible and it provides for a different cushion effect with more travel, since air is compressible. This has three consequences:

a) FreeBites wit air-filling feel a little lower when compared to those with a fluid filling.
b) When you bite on a FreeBite gel, it gives until the casing has adapted to your teeth and then no further.
c) A narrowing valve in the anterior connector produces a sort of memory effect. The pressure is equalized between both chambers, but with a slight delay. This memory effect is much more noticeable in the FreeBite comfort than in therapy cushions.

For your first trial we would recommend either a FreeBite air therapy cushion, or a FreeBite comfort gel, unless you want it as low as possible, in which case you may prefer the FreeBite comfort air.

3. The Form/Height of Therapy Cushions

FreeBite therapy cushions low and medium have a slight wedge-shape, while the wedge is more pronounced in the high and ultrahigh versions. We would normally recommend a FreeBite air medium which in most cases is the best start into the FreeBite therapy. If you have made the experience that you do not tolerate having your bite raised by a bite cushion well, then choose the low version, or revert to a FreeBite comfort, after all. If you feel you need much more support between your teeth, choose the high version instead, where the FreeBite air also has a fairly cushiony feel. This may also be a good option for people with a deep bite where the lower incisors disappear completely behind the upper ones. The ultrahigh version really adds a lot of vertical dimension to the bite and was designed mainly with different TMJ-exercises in mind.

The casing of the FreeBite adapts to your teeth somewhat over time and feels softer the longer you wear it.

In the beginning, it is quite normal to feel somewhat of an urge to press your teeth on a FreeBite therapy cushion. The unused posterior support of your bite will initially stir subconscious memories of chewing food where something between your back teeth implies that you have to bite down harder. However, this would be entirely counterproductive during FreeBite therapy, as it would fatigue your stressed chewing muscles even further, which is not at all what we want!

This is why we recommend to start with short therapy sessions initially and keep your mandible moving in a relaxed manner without exerting force. As soon as you find yourself clenching your teeth on your FreeBite, it is better to take a break and extend your therapy sessions slowly over time. Eventually most people will cease to feel any urge to clench on their FreeBite and this is, when it can be worn for longer time periods and also during the night. If you find the urge to clench not subsiding, you may have chosen too high a FreeBite and should try a lower version.