If you frequently experience headaches or pain in your jaw, then you may be suffering from serious oral health concerns, such as TMJ disorder and bruxism. If so, then we have a comfortable and non-invasive treatment option to restore the health of your smile and reduce discomfort. Find out how we treat TMJ disorder and bruxism with custom appliances in Richfield, MN.
TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joints connect our jaw and skull, and control the movements necessary to eat and speak. However, when these joints undergo excessive strain, then difficulties opening and closing the mouth can occur, as well as a host of uncomfortable symptoms. The factors behind the strain could include teeth grinding, tooth loss, bite imbalance, injury to the face or jaw, stress, or dental misalignment. Warning signs may consist of a popping or crackling sensation in the jaw, jaw pain, migraine and headaches, and aches in the face, neck, or shoulders. Don’t ignore these warning signs, contact our team to discuss possible solutions.
Bruxism
With bruxism, patients grind their teeth or clench their jaws regularly while sleeping, which places enormous pressure on the jaw, leading to worn tooth enamel or even cracks or chips, damage that exposes the inner tooth structure and leads to tooth decay and infection. We may grind our teeth due to high levels of stress in our day-to-day life, untreated TMJ disorder, injury to the jaw or face, pain and sensitivity in the teeth, and frequent headaches. Treating the issue means preserving the health and function of your smile.
Custom-Made Oral Appliances
First, we need to carefully examine your smile. We look of signs of wear or friction on the teeth, and look at the jaw joints for signs of tension. We then have the ability to assess the cause and impact of your jaw joint problems. We then take detailed impressions to create a custom-made oral appliance. Worn as you sleep, the device will fit and look like a mouthguard. However, the device also repositions the jaw to ease strain on the joints, while also preventing further damage to the teeth by placing a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth. We may also suggest orthodontics or even restorations to help. If you have any questions about identifying and treating TMJ disorder and bruxism, then please contact our team today. Don’t live with the pain in your face and jaw, talk to us about treatment!
Do You Have Questions About Treating TMD?
If you have jaw joint pain, or chronic headaches, then talk to our team about possible solutions. To learn more about our preventive dental care options, including custom oral appliances, schedule a consultation with Dr. Keller by calling Cedar West Family Dentistry in Richfield, MN, today at (612) 861-7188.
