Do you have persistent headaches and a sore jaw? Do you ever realize you’ve been unconsciously grinding your teeth? If so, you may suffer from TMJ Disorder. This issue is particularly painful and frustrating because it primarily affects your jaw, and there are not many opportunities to give it rest — you can’t exactly stop eating and talking. Because of this, you likely need professional treatment to improve this condition and feel relief from the pain. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about the typical causes of TMJ Disorder and the ways we can treat it using orthodontics.
Understanding The Disorder
TMJ Disorder, which is short for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is the misalignment of the joints that connect your skull to your jaw. These joints are always in motion, so when they are not aligned properly, you can feel a lot of pain and discomfort. A jaw can become unbalanced due to persistent teeth grinding as well as clenching from stress. An external injury could also cause TMJ Disorder to develop.
The most common symptoms include headaches, earaches, severe migraines, jaw popping, and overall facial soreness. In particularly severe cases, those suffering from it can feel the tension all the way in their shoulders, if not their lower backs as well. Because your mouth and jaw are moving frequently, you probably need professional solutions to get your jaw back into its proper alignment.
There Are Effective Treatment Options
One of the most common, effective, and simplest measures for treating this disorder is a nightguard that you wear while you sleep. It is similar to a mouth guard you might wear for sports, but it is custom-made to fit your specific mouth and jaw. By using our iTero® imaging system, we can precisely measure your oral cavity to ensure that the guard fits comfortably and works effectively. As you sleep, it gently repositions your jaw into its proper alignment, providing comfort and healing it while you wear it.
Additionally, braces can be effective at treating misalignment as well. Whether you want traditional, tooth-colored brackets or Invisalign®, we can come up with a treatment plan that will help you achieve the results you want.
Schedule An Appointment For More Information About TMJ Disorder
If you are suffering from this disorder, we are here to help. We understand how painful it can be, and we want to assist you in feeling comfortable once again. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. We also work with patients who live in Springtown, Rome, and all surrounding communities. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you live a pain-free life.
