When the jaw joints are strained, the resulting dysfunction could lead to painful symptoms. TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could even alter how you open and close your mouth. Fortunately, we can help with oral appliance therapy. In today’s blog, your Sheridan, WY, dentist talks about how we treat TMJ concerns with an oral appliance.
The Causes of Jaw Joint Dysfunction
Why do the joints connecting our jaw and skull become strained? This stress could be due to issues that upset bite balance, such as dental misalignment, missing teeth, injury to the face or jaw, or even complications with the growth and development of your smile, or the eruption of your teeth. Teeth grinding could be a factor too. As part of your treatment, our team will carefully examine your smile with advanced imagery so we can make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, providing the right treatment to address your TMD and help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms.
Warning Signs of TMD
People with the disorder may report chronic headaches or migraines, jaw pain, facial aches, or even discomfort in the neck and shoulders. A popping or crackling sensation could occur in the smile. You may also have tooth sensitivity or to the if you also grind your teeth, as this could damage teeth and leave them vulnerable to tooth decay and dental infection. When you encounter one or more of these potential warning signs, then please reach out to our team right away!
Treating Your TMJ Concerns
For some, our team could offer relief with orthodontics to correct misalignment and prevent discomfort related to malocclusion and TMJ disorder. We could also replace missing teeth with durable and lifelike prosthetics, restoring bite balance with bridges or even dental implants. If you have poor bite balance, we could offer treatment with crowns or even dental bonding or contouring.
But for many, we offer a comfortable and noninvasive solution with an oral appliance. The device is custom-fitted to your smile based on the digital images and measurements we take of your smile. The device is then worn during sleep, and helps reposition your jaw to ease the strain in your bite. If you also grind or clench your teeth, the appliance could place a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to protect your smile from further damage or discomfort.
If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat an issue like TMJ disorder, then contact our team today to learn more.
Speak With Your Sheridan, WY Dentist About Improving Bite Balance
Don’t let TMD cause painful symptoms and major oral health complications. To find out how our team can offer better bite balance and oral health, then reach out to Grinnell Street Dental in Sheridan, WY at 307-672-7567.
