Taking Action To Treat TMJ Disorder
Have you ever heard of TMJ disorder? Also known as TMD, this could develop due to jaw joint strain and cause a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Which is why we offer a comfortable and noninvasive treatment option. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about taking action to bring relief for TMD.
The Impact of TMD
When you have TMJ disorder, this could eventually cause major discomfort and worsening symptoms. You could also develop associated disorders like bruxism. Chronic teeth grinding could then wear down tooth structure or damage them, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and infection. You could also develop discomfort and trouble fully opening and closing your mouth, which impacts your ability to eat and speak, and harms your overall quality of life as well.
The Causes and Warning Signs
The disorder develops when bite imbalance and other factors cause massive strain to be placed on the joints that connect your jaw and skull. Causes include tooth loss, malocclusion, injury to the face or jaw, untreated teeth grinding, misalignment, and even high levels of stress. Your symptoms could include headaches, migraines, jaw pain, facial aches, tension in the neck and shoulders, and even toothaches and tooth sensitivity. If you begin to experience one or possible more of these symptoms, then you could benefit from treatment!
Treating Your TMD
When you arrive, we will first examine your smile. We look at your teeth for signs of wear and friction, and we also have you bite down on special strips to help us identify bite imbalance. We also use digital x-rays to take a look at your jaw joints and oral structures. If we find signs of TMD, we can assess your situation and choose the most appropriate treatment option. For some, this could involve orthodontics to correct misalignment, or a crown to address bite balance. We could also use bridges, implants, and dentures to address tooth loss.
The most common solution is actually an oral appliance. This device looks and fits like a mouthguard, and is used to reposition the jaw to ease tension and pressure and bring relief. If you grind your teeth, this also provides a barrier to prevent further damage to your smile. If you have any questions about how we treat issues like TMD, then give us a call today to learn more.
Ready to Reduce Jaw Joint Strain?
We would like to help treat issues that cause major discomfort. If you have any questions about restoring balance to your smile, or if you would like to schedule a consultation today, please contact Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.