Have you ever heard of TMJ disorder? Also known as TMD, this is a widespread oral health disorder that can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms. How do we stop TMJ disorder? Fortunately, there are a number of possibilities for addressing TMD.
Astoria, NY TMJ Disorder Quiz
- True or False: Teeth grinding can lead to TMD.
- True or False: There’s nothing you can do to ease discomfort.
- True or False: Your jaw may pop or click as a result.
- True or False: Surgery is necessary to treat the issue.
Answer Key
- True. TMJ disorder occurs when the joints that connect your lower jaw to the skull endure excessive amounts of strain. Stress on the joints can develop due to malocclusion, tooth loss, trauma, or even teeth grinding. By identifying the cause of your TMD issues, we can recommend the most effective treatment.
- False. In fact, you can place a warm compress to the side of your face to ease tension. We also recommend cutting back on hard or chewy foods, as the repetitive chewing action can exacerbate symptoms.
- True. Other symptoms include toothaches or tooth sensitivity (particularly if you grind your teeth), headaches, earaches, facial pain, jaw discomfort, and aches in the shoulder or neck.
- False. We offer a number of treatment options that don’t involve surgery. Often a restoration, such as a crown or veneer, can restore missing tooth structure and ease strain. For malocclusion, we can correct uneven teeth using ClearCorrect aligners. Finally, we can use an oral appliance to reposition the jaw. While the appliance may look like a nightguard, it is actually much more complex. The device is worn at night and can ease TMJ-related symptoms. In addition, the appliance places a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing further damage as a result of bruxism.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA PREVENTIVE DENTIST
Our Astoria, NY dentist office accepts most major insurance plans. To find out if we accept yours, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We welcome patients living in and around Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
