Did you know that over ten million people in the United States suffer from TMJ disorder, also known as TMD? Without treatment, TMD can lead to discomfort and problems fully opening and closing your mouth. Fortunately, we can treat TMJ disorder and restore your smile to optimal health and function.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Disorder
Question: What causes TMD?
Answer: We develop TMD when our jaws undergo excessive amounts of strain. Stress on the jaw joints can be the result of injury, tooth loss, malocclusion, or chronic teeth grinding. We will need to understand the cause, as well as the severity, of your TMJ disorder before we can prescribe the best treatment option.
Question: How do I know if I need treatment?
Answer: You may notice a wide array of symptoms, such as pain in your jaw or face, a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, headaches, earaches, or pain in the neck or shoulders. If you recognize one or more of these potential warning signs, then please schedule a visit. We can see if you require treatment for jaw joint problems.
Question: Is the issue related to bruxism?
Answer: Often times bruxism, which refers to chronic teeth grinding/jaw clinching, can lead to the onset of TMJ disorder. However, TMD can also make grinding your teeth more likely. These jaw joint disorders are both often related to one another.
Question: How do you treat TMD?
Answer: Reliving pressure on the jaw joints can be accomplished with a restoration or even orthodontic treatment. However, we sometimes use an oral appliance. The custom-made device is worn during sleep and repositions the jaw to ease strain on the joints. Treatment can also help teeth grinding, as the barrier between the upper and lower teeth prevents further damage from occurring due to grinding episodes.
