Have you ever experienced pain or swelling in your face or neck area? Do you have trouble chewing or feel discomfort in your jaw area when eating? These are just a few symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder. Also known as TMD, this disorder is most common among people between the ages of 20 and 40.
While the direct cause of TMD is unknown, some reasons may include jaw injury, teeth grinding or clinching, or joint arthritis. Additional symptoms of TMD can include: jaw popping and stiffness, migraines, misaligned teeth, eye pain, and ear aches. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to visit a dentist in Charlotte, NC to get evaluated.
Treatment Options For TMD:
In order to avoid teeth grinding and clenching a custom-made mouthguard or splint may be recommended. These are often worn at night but can also be made for the daytime to protect your teeth whenever you clench or grind them.
Similar to a sports guard, these oral appliances are made to form a barrier between your top and bottom teeth. Made specifically for you, they will fit snuggly over your teeth. Each oral appliance is made to protect your teeth while also helping your jaw move into a more relaxed position.
If your teeth are misaligned and affecting your bite, you have malocclusion. This can cause stress on your TM joints as your teeth try to find a way to come together properly. Orthodontics can be used to straighten your teeth and as a result your bite! This helps reduce or eliminate bruxism (teeth grinding) as well as the jaw (TMJ) pain associated with it.
As mentioned above, having malocclusion or a misaligned bite can cause undue stress on your jaw joints. Finding occlusal equilibrium can sometimes be as easy as altering a few tooth surfaces. We’ll help your teeth come together harmoniously in its rested state with an occlusal adjustment. By strategically removing a small amount of tooth enamel in one or more areas of your mouth we can reduce jaw pain and the grinding and clenching that’s causing it.
Dr. Edwin Porter and the experienced team at Charlotte Dental Arts in Charlotte, NC offer state-of-the-art technology and expertise to identify and treat TMD-related causes and symptoms, giving you normal jaw function and comfortability again, and positively impacting your quality of life. The team creates customized treatment plans to address TMD and remedy an associated discomforts for each patient, ensuring that you have the best experience on your way to being done with TMJ pain!
Be Free of Jaw Pain Now!
There are plenty options to treat TMD. If you are ready to start your path on relieving TMJ pain contact our doctor in our office in Charlotte, NC to schedule your consultation today!
