When you have chronic headaches and migraines, the cause may be related to the balance of your smile. Poor bite balance is a common cause of TMJ disorder, which in turn leads to headaches and other painful symptoms. At your Avon, OH, dental practice, can help bring relief with noninvasive solutions, including custom oral appliances.
The Warning Signs of TMJ Disorder
How do you know if you have strain in your smile that needs attention? You could experience soreness in the face or jaw, earaches, toothaches, or even a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw. Headaches and migraines are common too, as are aches in the neck and shoulders. The disorder could be brought on by issues that strain the jaw joints, such as missing teeth, misalignment, injury, or even issues with the growth and development of the jaw. Untreated bruxism or chronic teeth grinding, is a common factor too. When you experience discomfort in your jaw, please see our team right away for care.
Diagnosing Your Jaw Joint Strain
When you see our team for a diagnosis, we will take a close look at your smile with digital x-rays, so we can see the jaw joints and assess imbalance with precision. The technology uses 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, and the images are available instantly chairside. We can make a diagnosis with precision using these high-definition images so we can also plan your treatment. We also check for muscle tenderness, clicking or popping in the jaw, and wear and friction on the teeth. From there, we can create a treatment plan to bring relief to our patients!
Possible Solutions
To treat TMJ disorder and ease discomfort, our team may recommend jaw relaxation exercises or we could use crowns or bonding to improve bite balance and chewing function to ease the stress in your joints. If you have missing teeth, we can discuss prosthetics to fill the gaps, and orthodontics could address misalignment that impacts the balance of your bite. Often, we can offer care with an oral appliance, a device that fits like a mouthguard and is worn as you sleep. The device is custom-fitted for your smile and shifts the jaw to ease pressure on the joints. The appliance is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you as needed. In advanced cases, we may recommend oral surgery to address the factors behind your TMJ disorder.
If you have any questions, contact our team today to learn more.
Speak With Your Avon, OH Dentist’s Office About TMD Treatment
We’re ready to offer relief from your TMJ symptoms. If you would like to learn more about our approach to TMJ treatment, then call our Avon, OH dental office at 440-937-2273.