If you often experience headaches or pain in your jaw, this could mean that you have a common jaw joint disorder known as TMJ disorder, or TMD. In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about the common causes and symptoms, and your Astoria, NY, dentist will look at a popular and comfortable treatment option.
The Causes of TMJ Disorder
The disorder develops when the temporomandibular joints undergo excessive amounts of stress and strain. These joints connect your jaw and skull, and make the actions needed to eat and speak possible. The strain could eventually lead to trouble fully opening and closing your mouth. Common factors behind the stress could include bite imbalance, misalignment, tooth loss, damaged teeth, injury to the face or jaw, complications with the growth and development of your smile and oral structures, and stress. As part of your treatment, we will need to diagnose and identify the factors behind your strain.
Symptoms and Complications
People with the disorder often encounter persistent headaches and migraines, as well as pain in the jaw and face. Aches in the neck and face may be reported as well, along with a popping or clicking sensation in your jaw. Unless treated, this impacts how your bite fits together and could also lead to the onset of bruxism or chronic teeth grinding. You then increase the risk of having teeth become chipped, cracked, or worn down, leading to decay and other serious complications.
Finding the Right Solution
We start with a thorough exam using digital technology, capturing detailed images of your teeth, gums, roots, jaw joints, and oral structures. We also look at the teeth for signs of wear and friction. Once we identify the presence of TMD, and the factors behind it, we will be able to discuss possible treatment options. For example, our clear aligners could correct misalignment to ease strain and improve alignment. We could also use dental crowns, custom-made for your smile, to improve your balance.
However, the most common solution is an oral appliance. The oral splint will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is custom-fitted for your smile to reposition the jaw and prevent further strain. You avoid symptoms, and also about further damage if you grind your teeth due to a barrier being placed between the upper and lower sets of teeth. If you have any questions about treating TMD or bruxism, then contact our team today to learn more. Don’t live with pain in your smile, talk to us and find the solution that works for you!
Do You Have Questions About TMD?
We would like to discuss possible solutions to issues like TMJ dysfunction or bruxism. To learn more about our approach to preventive treatment, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
