When our jaw joints undergo excess strain, this could lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms that grow more severe with time. In order to stop this discomfort and treat issues like TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, your Astoria, NY, dentist may recommend a custom-made oral splint. In today’s blog, we’re going to explain how to recognize symptoms, and when to seek treatment!
The Causes of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is an issue in which excessive strain is placed onto the jaw joints, which connects your jaw and skull to provide the movement necessary to eat and speak. Causes of the strain could include tooth loss, dental misalignment, bite imbalance, damaged teeth, stress, or untreated teeth grinding. Unless addressed, this disorder could mean difficulty opening and closing your mouth, a higher risk of associated disorders like bruxism (teeth grinding), and very uncomfortable symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Common warning signs of TMD may include soreness in the face, neck, or jaw, aches in the shoulders, headaches and migraines, and even a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw. For people who grind their teeth, tooth sensitivity and toothaches could also develop. If you begin to notice one or more of these potential symptoms, then please let us know. We can perform a thorough diagnosis to see what treatments will be necessary to address your jaw joint strain and avoid further symptoms. Remember, what may begin as a minor irritant could soon become something much more serious, so don’t ignore minor aches and pains in and around your face and jaw, please let us know so we can discuss possible solutions.
Creating Custom Splints
To treat the disorder, we start by taking detailed impressions and measurements of your smile, which we use to design an oral appliance. The device will be worn as you sleep, and will look and fit much like a mouthguard. The splint then repositions the jaw to ease strain on the joints and restore bite balance. Treatment could also help prevent further damage due to teeth grinding, as the device places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth. Along with these custom splints, we may also help address strain and imbalance with a custom-made restoration, or possibly with orthodontics, such as our ClearCorrect aligners. If you have any questions about identifying and treating issues like TMD, then please contact our team today. We would love to see you and help you obtain a better smile!
Do You Have Persistent Headaches?
Our team understands how to address issues that cause jaw joint strain and bite imbalance. To learn more about treating common jaw joint disorders, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
