If you have pain in and around your jaw pain, or frequent headaches and migraines, then the culprit could be in your smile! Jaw joint strains and bite imbalance could lead to issues like TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, and bruxism, which refers to chronic teeth grinding. To restore comfort and balance to your smile, your Allen, TX, dentist may suggest an oral appliance!
The Link Between TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
When the joints connecting your jaw and skull undergo excess strain, this could lead to issues opening and closing the mouth, as well as a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Known as TMJ disorder, this impacts millions of people and could also increase the risk of bruxism. In turn, bruxism, in which we grind and clench our teeth regularly at night, also strains the jaw and could even damage teeth with time, leading to a host of uncomfortable symptoms and even cracked, chipped, or worn-down teeth. Causes of these issues could include stress, tooth loss, dental misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or bite imbalance.
Warning Signs of Trouble
Warning signs could include headaches and migraines, and pain in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders. People may report a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, too. For those who grind the teeth, tooth sensitivity and toothaches could develop as the damage leads to the onset of tooth decay and dental infection.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you encounter one or more of the warning signs we looked at above, the give us a call. We will carefully examine your smile with advanced technology, and then identify the strain, wear, and friction that could indicate the presence of TMD and teeth grinding. We will then take detailed impressions and images of the smile, which we use to design and create a custom-made oral appliance.
The completed device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep. The device repositions the jaw to eases strain and prevents TMJ-related symptoms. The oral appliance also helps prevent further damage to the smile from bruxism by providing a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth. We could also help with orthodontic treatments that correct misalignment, or custom-made crowns to help restore balance to the smile. If you have any questions about our options for treating issues like TMD and teeth grinding, then contact our team today.
Our Allen, TX Dentist Talks About Family Dentistry
Your Allen, TX dentist’s office is ready to help treat issues like TMD or teeth grinding with a custom oral appliance, or maybe even a custom-made restoration. To find out more about treating the complications of jaw joint strain, then please call Allen Family Dental at (469) 342-6644.
