Do you have persistent pain or a popping sensation in your jaw? If so, then this could indicate the presence of a disorder known as TMD, or TMJ disorder. Without treatment, this could mean major discomfort and strain on your smile! In today’s blog, your Allen, TX, dentist talks about treating your TMJ disorder.
The Causes of Your TMD
TMJ disorder is a serious issue, one that impacts millions of smiles in the United States. The disorder means that the joints that connect your jaw and skull have become strained. Without treatment to correct this strain, serious discomfort could arise. Common causes include high levels of stress, untreated bruxism (teeth grinding) and issues that upset bite balance, such as missing teeth, dental misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or complications with the growth and development of your smile or the eruption of the teeth. Warning signs vary, but may include a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, headaches and migraines, jaw pain, or aches in the face and neck. If you also grind your teeth, tooth sensitivity and toothache could arise as well.
The Long-Term Impacts
Without treatment, this could lead to growing pain that impacts your quality of life. You could also develop trouble opening and closing your mouth fully. The disorder could lead to bruxism, or be brought on by. Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, could then were down outer structure or even crack or chip the tooth. The teeth could appear shorter than normal, and the injuries could expose the inner dentin to bacteria, leading got cavities or even dental infection.
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
How do we bring relief to your smile? To start, our team will take detailed digital images of your smile. We analyze these images, along with any wear and friction on your teeth. Our team will then make a diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment. For some, this could mean orthodontics to correct misalignment, or possibly dental prosthetics to replace missing teeth. But often, we create an oral appliance that looks and functions like a mouthguard. When in place, this fits comfortably but also shifts the teeth to ease stress and strain on the joints. You avoid worsening symptoms, and protect your smile from major complications. If you have any questions about these noninvasive appliances, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk to Your Allen, TX Dentist About Oral Appliance Therapy
Our team wants to help you enjoy a comfortable and healthy smile with oral appliance therapy. If you want to know more about treating jaw joint strain, or if you are ready to book an appointment, contact your Allen, TX, dentist, Dr. Torrens-Parker, by calling 469-342-6644.
