Do you often suffer from headaches and migraines, but haven’t found the cause? You may be surprised to find out that chronic head pain may be linked to your smile. Jaw joint strain and other factors that imbalance your smile could mean the onset of TMJ disorder, also known as TMD. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist explains how we offer a solution with TMJ treatment.
The Link Between Headaches and TMD
TMJ disorder means that the temporomandibular joints that connect the jaw and skull become strained. The tress impacts the balance of the jaw, and could mean trouble opening and closing the jaw over time. Symptoms include chronic headaches and migraines, as well as a popping or clicking sensation in your jaw, or aches in the neck, shoulders, and face. Factors behind the strain may include the loss of one or more teeth, misalignment, bite imbalance, injury to the face or jaw, high levels of stress, or untreated teeth grinding.
Complications for Your Smile
Along with trouble opening and closing your mouth, TMJ disorder could cause teeth grinding (and vice versa). Unless treated, teeth grinding and clenching places pressure on your smile, wearing down enamel and structure, and also cracking and chipping teeth. You could become more susceptible to serious tooth decay and infection, causing further discomfort and risking the loss of one or more of your natural teeth! Which is why when you experience the symptoms we discussed above, you should see us for an exam and a diagnosis, to see if you need treatment.
Treatment Options
Treatment options will vary, and the option we choose will be based on detailed digital images and impressions we take of your smile. For some, we could restore balance with the placement of a dental crown. Other times, we could address misalignment with clear aligners or braces. However, the most common option is an oral appliance. The device will be made based on the images we obtained to ensure a comfortable fit and treatment with precision and accuracy. The appliance is worn at night as you sleep, and helps reposition the jaw to ease strain and stress. If you also happen to grind your teeth, the device places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage. If you have any questions about issues like TMJ disorder, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PREVENTIVE PROCEDURES?
We want to offer a solution for issues like jaw joint strain that is comfortable and convenient. To learn more about addressing your smile’s alignment and balance, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
