If you notice you have a popping or a clicking sensation in your jaw, this could potentially be related to an oral health issue. TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, is an oral health problem that impacts millions, but we can help. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist talks about helping smiles with TMJ treatment!
Popping and Clicking in Your Jaw
When you have strain on your jaw joints, which could be caused by tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, misalignment, or issues with the growth of the bite or the eruption of your teeth, this could lead to the onset of TMJ disorder. You could experience soreness in the face or jaw, a popping or clicking sensation, headaches and migraines, and even aches in the neck and shoulders. Over time, this could upset your bite and even lead to issues opening and closing your mouth properly, and could be linked to related complications like bruxism (chronic teeth grinding).
Planning Treatment
When you see us for a diagnosis, we will take detailed digital images of your bite from multiple angles. With this information, we will be able to assess the balance of your bite and understand the source of your imbalance. If you have TMJ disorder, our team will then plan treatment. For some, this could include treatments like bonding or the placement of crowns to repair teeth and improve balance. We could discuss orthodontics to correct misalignment. Our team could even replace missing teeth with prosthetics, such as bridges or dental implants. But for most, we will provide relief with a simple and effective oral appliance.
Oral Appliance Therapy
The detailed digital images we take of your bite will enable us to create a 3D impression, one that is used in a lab setting to design and craft an oral appliance. The device will look and fit much like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep. When in place, this gently shifts your jaw to ease imbalance and ensure a proper bite. You then experience a reduction in symptoms, and enjoy relief. The oral appliance is easy to use and clean, and it can travel with you too!
If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat an issue like TMJ disorder with an oral appliance, or if you would like to schedule a visit, then contact our team today to learn more and get started on your treatment journey!
Schedule Your Visit for TMJ Treatment
TMJ disorder is a widespread issue that can be a source of major discomfort. To learn more about easing discomfort and bite imbalance, call Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN, today at 612) 861-7188.
