TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could lead to serious trouble for your oral health. You could develop difficulties eating and speaking, and a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Fortunately, we have treatment options to bring relief! In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder.
The Warning Signs of Trouble
When should you talk to our team about possible treatment? The warning signs of TMJ disorder could include chronic jaw pain, facial aches, discomfort in the neck and shoulders, and a popping or clicking sensation in your jaw. Headaches and migraines are common too! If this is related to chronic teeth grinding, known as bruxism, then symptoms could also include tooth sensitivity and toothaches. If you experience one or more of these common symptoms, then contact our team right away for a diagnosis!
Problems for Your Smile
The disorder is caused by issues that upset the balance of your bite, such as tooth loss, malocclusion, misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or untreated teeth grinding. Issues with the growth and development of your jaw and oral structures could be a factor as well. Without treatment, TMJ disorder could eventually make fully opening and closing your mouth difficult, and also lead to worsening pain in your daily life. Treatment could bring relief, and protect your teeth from major complications.
Treatment Options
For some, we could correct misalignment to offer relief. This involves using braces or aligners to shift the teeth into proper position. The placement of dental crowns, or the use of dental bonding and contouring, could allow us to improve overall bite balance and ease strain on the jaw joints. If you have missing teeth, we could bring relief with the placement of a dental bridge or a dental implant.
But in many cases, a simple oral appliance is the solution your smile needs. We create the device based on detailed digital images we gather of your teeth and jaw structure. This will look and function much like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep. The device then helps shift the jaw to ease strain and bring relief. If you grind your teeth, the device also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth, so you avoid further damage to your smile. Again, we can also rebuild any damaged portions of your smile with cosmetic dentistry or dental restorations.
If you have any questions, give us a call today!
Do You Have Questions About Treating Jaw Joint Strain?
A balanced bite means better oral health and a reduced risk of discomfort. If you have any questions about TMD treatment, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, contact your Richfield, MN, dentist, Dr. Keller, by calling (612) 861-7188.
