Can An Awkward Bite Make TMJ Treatment Necessary?

Are you creating problems for your oral health because you have a flawed bite? Bite problems may be more common than you currently realize, and they can stem from several issues. Some people develop an awkward bite motion to work around issues with malocclusion. Others may change how they move their jaw because they wish to avoid tooth pain, or due to tooth loss that has not been addressed. Any change to your bite that goes unresolved can put pressure on your joints and muscles, and that can lead to difficulties with TMJ disorder. Upon identifying signs of TMJ trouble, our practice can work with you on easing tension and improving your bite function. To help with this, we can provide a custom oral appliance that helps to alleviate tension and alignment issues.

Is Your Bite Movement Even?

By maintaining an even bite, you can avoid problems with stress, properly distribute pressure among your teeth, and keep your joints from going out of alignment. If you start to develop problems that make you apply or release pressure in an uneven fashion, you can start experiencing pain, stiffness, and even problems with certain teeth. It may take orthodontic work to correct the alignment of your smile and improve your bite. You may also benefit from restorative dental work, which can make it easier to apply pressure evenly.

Issues That Can Interfere With Dental Function

Malocclusion – problems with the alignment of your teeth – can make it harder for you to bite and chew. While poor dental alignment is often thought of as a cosmetic problem, it does create potential trouble for your oral health. This is a potential cause of your bite difficulties and TMJ disorder, but it is not the only one. A person who has lost even one tooth can have a harder time biting and chewing without some discomfort, and that can lead to poor alignment. Dental pain or sensitivity can also change your movements.

What To Expect From TMJ Treatment

With oral appliance therapy, we can help you retrain your bite so that you reduce pressure on your joints and muscles. The appliance will gently move your jaw so that it takes away the pressure being put on your joints and muscles. We can also use an appliance to help those who struggle with teeth grinding in addition to having difficulties with jaw pain. A teeth grinding problem can wear teeth down over time. That means that in addition to causing pain, this problem can cause noticeable changes that can call for cosmetic dental treatment to address!

Sunny Smiles Can Help Patients In Need Of TMJ Treatment

At Sunny Smiles, we are prepared to help patients deal with problems that have led to jaw pain and bite difficulties. To find out more, contact our El Paso, TX, dentist’s office on N. Zaragoza Road by calling 915-849-9000.