Have you ever heard of TMJ disorder? An oral health issue that develops due to poor bite balance and jaw joint pressure, TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could lead to serious discomfort in your smile. Fortunately, your Tucson, AZ, dentist is ready with a custom treatment option that fits comfortably and restores the balance of your smile. Let’s stop jaw pain with TMJ therapy!
Jaw Pain and TMD
TMD develops when the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jaw and skull, become strained. These joints control the movements need to eat and speak, so untreated TMD could mean trouble fully opening and closing the mouth. Common causes of the disorder could include misalignment, injury to the jaw or face, tooth loss, and teeth grinding, all of which could upset bite balance and place stress on the jaw joints. Warning signs to watch for include headaches and migraines, toothaches and tooth sensitivity, jaw pain and facial discomfort, as well as aches in the neck or shoulders. Others report popping or clicking in the jaw joints. If you begin to experience one or more of these potential warning signs, then please let us know as soon as possible!
Treating The Disorder
We will begin by providing a detailed examination of your smile, looking for signs of wear and friction on the teeth and strain in the jaw joints. We can then decide which treatment is most appropriate after assessing the cause and extent of your TMJ dysfunction. For some, we could use orthodontics to correct misalignment, others may benefit from a restoration to improve overall bite balance. For many, we will take detailed impressions and measurements of the smile to create a custom-made oral appliance, one that looks and fits like a mouthguard. The appliance will be worn at night, while you sleep, and can help reposition the jaw to ease strain and prevent further symptoms.
The Link to Bruxism
Often, untreated TMJ disorder could lead to the onset of teeth grinding, and untreated death grinding could place pressure on the jaw joints and lead to TMD. Fortunately, both disorders can often be treated with an oral appliance. The same appliance that eases TMD can be used to prevent further damage to the smile by placing a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth.
Do You Experience Pain in your Jaw or Head?
Our team is ready to help treat your jaw joint issues with a custom and comfortable oral appliance. For more information on our general and preventive procedures, schedule a consultation with your dentist by calling Dr. Newman’s office in Tucson, AZ, today at 520-296-5439. We’re conveniently located inside the Grant Road Professional Plaza, and proudly welcome the residents of all surrounding communities.
