TMJ disorder, sometimes referred to as TMD, is a source of major discomfort for many people in the United States, and could lead to complications like chronic teeth grinding (bruxism). However, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist has a number for options to help restore bite balance and ease jaw joint stain to offer our patients relief.
The Causes and Warning Signs of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder develops the the temporomandibular joints undergo excessive strain. These joints connect our jaw and skull, and the movement enables us to eat and speak. However, excess stress could lead to issues opening and closing the mouth and upset bite balance, leading to painful symptoms like aches in the face and jaw, pain in the neck and shoulders, headaches and migraines, and popping or crackling sensations in the jaw. Unless treated, the symptoms could worsen with time and you could also be more likely to start grinding your teeth, potentially damaging them!
Treatment with Orthodontics
The cause of the strain vary, and could include stress, tooth loss, improve bite balance, teeth grinding, or injury to the face or jaw. However, dental misalignment could also be a factor. Which means to eat strain on the joints and improve bite balance, we need to reposition your teeth. For teens and adults, we could do this with braces, limiting the appearance of the orthodontics with tooth-colored brackets. We can also correct the smile with barely-visible aligners made from a clear and BPA-free material. The option we recommend will depend on a number of factors, and we will make this decision based on a detailed exam using advanced technology.
Custom Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is often used to help patients with TMD. The appliance is crafted based on detailed digital images of the teeth we gather with the iTero® digital scanning system. We combine the images to create a 3D model and then design an appliance that looks and fits like a mouthguard. Worn at night, the device then repositions the jaw slightly to ease strain and help avoid the symptoms of untreated TMJ disorder. If you happen to grind your teeth too, the device also places a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth to avoid further damage. If you have any questions about treating issues like TMD, or about our orthodontic options, such as clear aligners or ceramic brackets, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TMJ DISORDER?
Our team is ready to help prevent jaw pain associated with TMD. To learn more about improving your bite’s function and balance, then please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Haslet, Azle, and all surrounding communities.
