TMJ Treatment in Flower Mound, TX
Commonly abbreviated to TMJ, your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to the bones of your skull. It acts like a hinge and is what lets you move your jaw up and down. However, there can be problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face, which is known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). And you may need TMJ treatment as a result.
What Is TMJ Treatment?
TMJ treatment is the process of examining your jaw to observe the range of motion and identify any areas of discomfort. For individuals who suffer from chronic discomfort or are at risk of dental damage, TMJ treatment is a new lease of life.
When Would You Need TMJ Treatment?
While there are many different causes, dentists believe the symptoms come from a wide variety of problems related to the jaw. Injury to the jaw or the muscles of the head and the neck, such as those caused by whiplash or a blow to the head, can result in TMD. Other causes, such as clenching your teeth or grinding them, can put a lot of pressure on the TMJ. In addition to this, arthritis in the temporomandibular joint can cause TMD, and even stress could be an underlying cause.
What Are the Benefits of TMJ Treatment?
TMJ treatment can have an amazing impact on your quality of life. If you seek a solution to chronic discomfort, TMJ treatment can provide long-lasting relief. Because TMD could cause chronic headaches, upper back pain, neck pain, and shoulder stiffness, treating the source of the problem can help you in so many ways. As TMD and chronic teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, are usually related, treating one of these conditions will protect your teeth. Also, if you struggle to eat without feeling pain TMJ treatment can alleviate discomfort.
What Is the Process of TMJ Treatment?
There are a variety of treatments for TMD. Your dentist might prescribe medication or may suggest a muscle relaxer if bruxism is the underlying cause. They may also recommend a splint or a night guard. These work to correct your bite and reduce the effects of clenching. The dentist may also suggest replacing missing teeth and possibly a course of braces to balance out the biting surfaces. They may also use crowns and bridges to improve the aesthetics of the teeth.
If you need TMJ treatment, there are many options. Because many people suffer with TMD due to grinding their teeth, a dentist can provide the best course of treatment for you. If you are prone to grinding your teeth in your sleep or feel the negative effects of stress on your jaw, TMJ treatment might be the best course of action. Here at Brite Smiles Dentistry, we provide TMJ treatment for residents of Flower mound, Texas and get to work on fixing the problem. Suffering from TMD can be a very painful experience, which is why it’s so important to get to work on treating this right away and help you feel like you again.