In our last blog, we looked at the possible dangers of teeth grinding, or bruxism, and how this injures smiles. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist talks about how a related disorder known as TMJ disorder, or TMD, could mean problems for your smile. We’re also talking about a noninvasive treatment option!
The Causes of TMD
TMJ disorder is a serious concern that develops when the joints connecting your jaw and skull become strained. This strain could lead to serious discomfort and even trouble opening and closing your mouth. The disorder could be brought on by injury to the face or jaw, tooth loss, misalignment, or complications with the growth of the jaw or eruption of the teeth. Untreated bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, could be a factor as well.
Symptoms
People with the disorder may report chronic headaches and migraines, or jaw and facial aches. A popping or clicking sensation in the jaw could develop too, as could aches in the neck and shoulders. If you also grind your teeth, tooth sensitivity and toothaches could develop. Treatment is crucial for avoiding pain, and also avoiding complications like tooth decay or infection too. When you see our team, we will take a close look at your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can choose the most appropriate treatment option.
Possible Solutions
For some, we could offer relief with orthodontics to correct the uneven teeth. Placing crowns, or bonding and contouring, could be used to correct bite balance and chewing function too. We could also replace missing teeth with bridges, partials, or dental implants to bring balance to your smile. But the most common solution is an oral appliance. The device will be custom-made based on detailed digital images we take of your smile. We combine them to create a 3D impression, one that enables us to design the appliance with precision. The finished product is worn like a mouthguard as you sleep. The device actually repositions the jaw to ease pressure and stress, so you avoid painful symptoms. This also puts a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent teeth grinding-related damage too.
If you have any questions about how we treat issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), then contact our team today to learn more. We want you to smile with confidence and enjoy a comfortable smile.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dental Care?
We would like to help you avoid chronic headaches and jaw pain with oral appliance therapy. If you have any questions about maintaining a balanced bite, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, contact your Richfield, MN, dentist, Dr. Keller, by calling (612) 861-7188.
