There are few things worse than persistent headaches, especially those that don’t seem to have a specific cause. Of course, some of the common roots we think about are dehydration, stress, and not having eaten enough, but there could be another culprit. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder is a particularly painful issue that can cause headaches, as well as other symptoms. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist discusses the causes of this disorder and the ways we can treat them using advanced dental technology.
What Exactly Is TMJ Disorder?
It is the misalignment of the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. Because these joints are responsible for a lot of our daily functions, like eating, chewing, and biting, it can be immensely painful. What’s more, is that this constant use of this area of your jaw makes the disorder exceedingly difficult to heal on its own. In addition to headaches, TMJ can also cause earaches, migraines, jaw popping, and general soreness in your face and mouth. As noted, it is caused by a misaligned jaw, but there are several things that can cause this unbalance in the first place. Bruxism — or teeth grinding — is a common culprit. Unfortunately, TMJ can also cause teeth grinding, which creates a vicious circle in which one exacerbates the other.
How We Can Treat It
Although this is certainly a painful issue to have, we have several solutions to fix your misalignment. One of the most common routes we can take is creating a custom-designed night guard for you to wear while you sleep. We create it by taking very detailed digital images of your mouth using our iTero® imaging system. This allows us to craft a precise mouthguard that will reposition your jaw as you sleep. Because it is made to the exact specifications of your jaw and smile, it is comfortable and you will get used to sleeping with it in your mouth in very little time.
For more severe misalignment issues, we can also use braces to help ease your suffering. We offer them with tooth-colored brackets, so they are hardly noticeable within your mouth. We could also set you up with Invisalign® if you would prefer an even more discreet option. No matter which route you choose, our highly-skilled team will walk you through every step of the process to ensure that you completely understand why the procedure we determine is the best for your specific needs.
Contact Us To Learn More About TMJ Disorder Treatments
We are here to help you live a pain-free life once again. Our team is dedicated to helping you find comfort and confidence in your smile and jaw once again. If you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Springtown, Rome, and all surrounding communities.
