TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, is a common disorder that could cause major discomfort and even impacts how you eat and speak. We could offer a noninvasive and comfortable treatment for the disorder, bringing relief and preventing major complications. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about treating TMD.
The Impact of TMD
With untreated TMJ disorder, you may experience major discomfort in your smile, and could have trouble fully opening and closing your mouth. The disorder could also lead to worsening symptoms, and could cause the onset of bruxism. A related disorder, this occurs when you grind and clench your teeth frequently at night, which then wears down teeth and even cracks or chips them leaving your smile vulnerable to negative esthetics and the onset of cavities and infection. To avoid these complications, you should talk to us when you experience common symptoms.
Causes and Warning Signs
Symptoms of TMD vary, but could include popping or crackling in the jaw, headaches and migraines, jaw pain, and aches in the face, neck, and shoulders. If you grind your teeth as well, tooth sensitivity when you eat and drink, as well as toothaches, could occur too. The disorder could be brought on by factors that upset bite balance and strain your jaw joints, such as malocclusion, tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, untreated bruxism, high stress levels, or even problems with the growth and development of your jaw and certain oral structures. As part of your treatment, we will diagnose the issue with clear digital x-rays and CT images, which allow us to examine the smile in detail and uncover the causes. From there, we can select the most appropriate treatment option.
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
Sometimes, we can treat the issue with orthodontics, using braces or even Invisalign® aligners to begin shifting the teeth into proper position, and easing the strain on your jaw joints by correcting bite balance. But often, we provide a simple and noninvasive oral appliance. The device is crafted and custom-fitted based on detailed images we gather of your smile using the iTero® system. We then combine them to create a 3D computer immersion, one far more accurate than a physical one. The device is then crafted based on this impression, and is worn as you sleep. At night, it repositions the bite to ease strain and pressure, alleviating your symptoms.
Ready to Treat Your Jaw Joint Strain?
We would like to offer relief for the painful symptoms of TMD. If you have any questions about how we treat issues with the alignment and balance of your smile, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, 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.
