Jaw pain and soreness. Headaches or migraines. Clenching or grinding your teeth. These chronic conditions could all be signs of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Your TM joints are the hinges that allow you to open and close your mouth. You can’t eat or speak without them. Many factors can cause a disorder of your TMJ. Your teeth could be misaligned causing you to grind your teeth and leading to unnecessary stress on your jaw joints. The issue could also be found at the source: the joint itself. Whatever the cause, we offer custom TMJ treatment in Seminole, FL to ensure you find the relief you need.
Our team at NuSmile Dental understands that many TMJ disorder symptoms can be painful and sometimes debilitating. We offer customized treatment plans in Seminole, FL to help you restore balance to your day, your smile, and your overall health. In some cases our dentists may work with specialists to ensure you receive the treatment and relief you need. Some common TMJ treatment solutions include the following:
In order to avoid teeth grinding and clenching we may recommend a custom-made mouthguard or splint. 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 as well as the jaw 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.
Chronic jaw pain, popping, locking, or stiffness in the jaw, frequent headaches or migraines, worn-down teeth, neck or back stiffness, teeth grinding, a misaligned bite, and earaches are all common signs.
Misaligned teeth are a common factor, since they can lead to grinding and extra stress on the jaw joints. Problems within the joint itself can also be a cause.
Depending on your case, treatment may include a custom mouthguard or splint worn at night to reduce grinding, orthodontics to correct a misaligned bite, or an occlusal adjustment that reshapes tooth surfaces for a more balanced bite.
NuSmile Dental builds customized treatment plans and may work with outside specialists when a case calls for it, depending on what your evaluation shows.
Schedule an appointment so your jaw and bite can be properly evaluated and a treatment plan can be built around what’s actually going on.
