Do you have chronic headaches or jaw pain? If so, this could be related to common oral health concerns, such as TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). While each disorder is unique, they are also often connected. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder and chronic teeth grinding.
The Warning Signs of Trouble
When you notice chronic discomfort in and around your smile, you should let us know. Headaches, migraines, jaw and facial pain, and a popping or clicking in the jaw could indicate the presence of either TMJ disorder or bruxism, and will require attention. Otherwise, these disorders could make fully opening and closing your mouth difficult, and could also lead to damaged teeth and a greater risk of tooth decay and dental infection. Our team will conduct a detailed examination with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, which enable us to make a diagnosis with precision and choose the most appropriate treatment option for your smile!
The Factors Behind TMD and Bruxism
TMJ disorder and bruxism can occur when the balance of your bite is upset. This could include factors like tooth loss, misalignment, injury, and concerns with the growth and development of your jaw and oral structures, or even the arrival of wisdom teeth. Stress levels could also be a factor. As part of your treatment, we want to assess the factors behind your jaw joint strain, so we can choose an option that restores balance and brings relief from painful symptoms.
Possible Treatment Options
Since these issues could be caused by misalignment, we can correct poor alignment with Invisalign® and other orthodontic options. We can replace missing teeth with dental implants or bridges, and we can use bonding or even custom crowns to help improve overall bite balance. But in many cases, our team will offer relief with a custom oral appliance. The device is crafted based on detailed digital images we take of your smile, and the final product will fit comfortably and be worn as you sleep. For those with TMJ disorder, the appliance shifts the jaw to ease stress and strain, so you can open and close your mouth without difficulty. For those with bruxism, this places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage, and also helps shift the jaw to correct the issues behind your chronic teeth grinding.
If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism, then contact our team.
Do You Have Any Questions About General Dentistry?
Our team wants to help you start 2024 with a balanced bite and a healthy smile. To schedule your appointment and address your jaw joint strain, please contact Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX at 972-530-0552.
