Noninvasive Treatment For TMJ Disorder
When your jaw joints become strained, this could mean you suffer from a disorder known as TMJ disorder, or TMD. Without treatment, this disorder could actually damage your smile and leave it vulnerable to cavities. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about a noninvasive treatment for TMJ disorder.
The Warning Signs and Causes of TMD
People with the disorder may report a popping or clicking sensation in your jaw, as well as headaches, migraines, jaw pain, and facial aches. TMJ dysfunction could be brought on by factors that upset bite balance and strain your jaw joints. TMD causes could include tooth loss, misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, untreated bruxism (teeth grinding), or complications with the growth and development of your smile. When you encounter these potential warning signs, then see our team to find out if you need a TMJ appliance.
Complications for Your Smile
Without treatment, the disorder could lead to worsening symptoms that impact your daily life. For many, there could be issues with fully opening and closing your mouth, impacting how you eat and speak. If you grind your teeth as well, this could damage your smile and leave it more vulnerable to tooth decay and dental infection. When you experience the potential symptoms we discussed above, you should let us know right away!
Creating an Oral Appliance
Our team will often offer a comfortable and noninvasive option with an oral appliance. To begin, we will gather detailed digital images of your smile from multiple angles. We then combine them to create a 3D model of your smile, one that enables us to design and fabricate a custom-made appliance. The device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep. Once in place, this repositions your jaw to ease pressure and prevent symptoms. If you grind your teeth, it also puts a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage.
You could ease symptoms by avoiding caffeinated products, or very hard or chewy foods and snacks. A warm compress to the side of the face could ease tension too. If you have any questions about how to diagnose this disorder and seek treatment, then contact our team today. We want to prevent TMJ disorder from causing major problems for your oral health and quality of life.
Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Treating TMD
Our team wants to help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms and dental damage. For more information on protecting your smile, then contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234. Our team offers the care needed to enjoy strong, healthy, and beautiful smiles for years to come.