TMJ disorder, also referred to as TMD, could develop from pressure on the jaw joints. Without treatment, this could lead to major discomfort and even the risk of dental damage. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about how we can ease discomfort and improve bite balance with TMJ therapy.
The Causes of TMJ Disorder
What causes TMJ disorder to develop? The disorder occurs when the joints, which connect your jaw and skull and control the actions necessary to eat and speak, undergo excessive strain. The strain could be brought on by missing teeth, injury to the face or jaw, untreated bruxism (teeth grinding), or issues with the growth and development of the smile or eruption of the teeth. Other factors include high stress levels and dental misalignment. When you undergo treatment, we will carefully examine the smile with advanced imaging systems to assess the cause of your disorder and choose the most appropriate treatment option!
Warning Signs of Trouble
How do you know if you need to seek treatment? You should watch for signs of trouble, such as chronic headaches and migraines, pain in the jaw or face, or aches in the neck and shoulders. If you grind your teeth, tooth sensitivity and toothaches could occur. You may also encounter a popping or crackling sensation in your jaw. Don’t ignore these potential warning signs, instead contact our team for a diagnosis and to find the right treatment option for your smile. For some, we could ease misalignment with braces or clear aligners. But for many, we could use a custom and comfortable oral appliance.
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
The oral appliance will be custom-made based on the detailed digital images we take of your smile using the iTero®. This means gathering detailed images from multiple angles of your smile with a small wand. We then combine these images to create a detailed digital impression. The device is then created and worn like a mouthguard as you sleep. The device is custom-fitted to help shift the jaw and ease pressure. You avoid painful symptoms and complications with your smile. If you grind your teeth, this helps limit episodes and also prevents damage to the teeth.
If you have any questions about diagnosing and treating issues like TMJ disorder, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CUSTOM ORAL APPLIANCES?
We would like to help you avoid the painful symptoms of TMD. If you have any questions about treating jaw joint strain, 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 Rome, Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
