Do you have a popping or crackling sensation in your jaw? If so, this could mean the presence of a serious jaw joint disorder. TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Fortunately, we have a noninvasive and comfortable treatment option. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists look at treating TMJ disorder.
Warning Signs of TMD
How do you know if you have TMD and need to seek treatment? For many people, there could be a popping or crackling sensation in the jaw. Headaches and migraines are commonly reported, as are pains in the jaw and face. Aches in the neck and shoulders could occur too. When you have persistent pain in and around your mouth and head, you should let us know. We can conduct a diagnosis to see if you have TMJ disorder and need treatment. Don’t ignore these warning signs, as you risk complications down the road.
The Causes and Complications
TMJ disorder occurs when the bite balance is strained, leading to stress on the jaw joints. The stress then leads to painful symptoms and often problems fully opening and closing the mouth. This could be caused by missing teeth, misalignment, malocclusion, injury to the face, or issues with the growth and development of oral structures. Without treatment, you could be at a higher risk for bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. This could damage the teeth and leave them vulnerable to painful symptoms, such as tooth sensitivity and toothaches, as well as tooth decay and dental infection. Treatment for TMD is crucial for keeping your smile comfortable, healthy, and whole.
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
We can offer a comfortable and noninvasive treatment for your TMD concerns. Our team will first gather detailed digital images of your smile from multiple angles and then combine them to create a 3D impression, one far more accurate than a physical one. No more trays and goo! We then use these to design and fabricate your oral appliance, which looks and fits like a mouthguard. When worn, this shifts the smile to ease strain on the smile and prevent painful symptoms. If you grind or clench your teeth, this also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets, so you avoid further damage.
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder, then contact our team today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX, ABOUT TMD TREATMENT
We would like to help you avoid painful symptoms and imbalanced bites with oral appliance therapy. If you’re ready to schedule a visit to improve your jaw joint balance, then contact our Sunny Smiles location on N Zaragoza Rd in El Paso, TX at 915-849-9000.