When you have chronic headaches, or frequent pain in your jaw, this could be caused by disorders related to joint strain or bite imbalance. TMJ disorder, or TMD, and bruxism could lead to major discomfort and even damage your smile. Fortunately, your Syosset, NY, dentist can offer relief with an oral appliance.
The Causes of Jaw Pain
Why do we develop pain in our jaws? The jaw is connected to the skull with the temporomandibular joints. These control the actions necessary to eat and speak. When they undergo strain and stress, this allows TMJ disorder to develop. Untreated TMD could also lead to bruxism, and vice-versa. Over time, this means trouble fully opening and closing your mouth, and the risk of discomfort and damaged teeth. Factors behind these disorders include high levels of stress in your daily life, tooth loss, malocclusion, injury to the smile, or complications with the growth and development of the jaw and oral structures. As part of your treatment, we will analyze the cause and extent of your disorders, so we can prescribe the right treatment.
Warning Signs of TMD and Bruxism
Warning signs vary, but could include headaches, jaw pain, facial aches, and discomfort in the neck and shoulders. TMD could also mean popping or clicking in the jaw, and bruxism is linked to worn down and cracked or chipped teeth, which causes toothaches and tooth sensitivity. If you experience one or more of these common warning signs, then contact our team for a diagnosis. We will use digital x-rays and intraoral camera images to diagnose the issue, and help select the best treatment option.
Treatment Options
For some, we could improve bite balance and ease strain with orthodontics, correcting the positions of the teeth. We could also use custom crowns and bonding or contouring to improve the balance of the bite too. However, the most common solution is an oral appliance. This is a custom-made device that looks and fits similar to a mouthguard. When worn at night, this repositions the smile to ease strain and tension, and also places a brier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage. If you have teeth damaged by bruxism, we can use bonding and contouring, or even a custom crown, to repair this and restore the tooth.
If you have any questions about how we treat issues like TMD or bruxism, then contact our team today to learn more. We’re here to help you enjoy a healthy, functional, and comfortable smile.
Talk to Our Team Today!
We would love to help you avoid pain in your head and jaw with an oral appliance. If you have questions about preventive dentistry, then contact our Syosset, NY dental office today at 516-433-2211.
