TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could lead to persistent pain in and around your smile, as well as headaches and facial aches. In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss the causes of TMD and list common symptoms to watch for. Your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist will also explain how we stop chronic pain with TMJ therapy.
TMJ Disorder and Chronic Pain
The disorder occurs when the jaw joints, known as the temporomandibular joints, become stressed. The strain then alters your bite and could lead to issues fully opening and closing your mouth, as these joints connect your jaw and skull and control the actions needed to eat and speak. The results of the disorder could be chronic pain aches in the neck, shoulders, face, or jaw pain and frequent headaches and migraines. Pepel may also report a popping or clicking sensation in the jaws as well. Common causes include dental misalignment, missing teeth, injury to the face or jaw, untreated bruxism (teeth grinding), high levels of stress, and other factors that impact the balance of your bite and alter the amount of pressure on your jaw joints.
Creating a Custom Solution
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to treating TMJ disorder. Our team will start by carefully examining the teeth with digital technology, identifying the wear and friction that could mean you need treatment for TMD. We then gather digital images that we will combine to create a 3D model, negating the need for traditional physical dental impressions. We then design and fabricate an appliance in a lab setting. The device will look and fit much like a mouthguard, but it will be custom-fitted for your smile.
Treatment and Alleviating Discomfort
The oral appliance will be worn as you sleep, and help reposition the jaw joints to ease pressure and prevent further symptoms. If you also grind your teeth, the appliance places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage to your smile. We could also help by correcting misalignment, using tooth-colored brackets and clear aligners to provide treatment that is practically invisible and ease pressure on your jaw joints. If you have any questions about how we treat issues like TMD, or how we correct misalignment in childhood, as well as the teen and adult years, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About TMJ Disorder?
We want to help you avoid the complications related to issues like TMD and bruxism. To learn more about how we provide relief for pain related to TMD, then please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
