Instead of forcing yourself to live with jaw pain every day, why not address the problem at its source? Oftentimes, the problem lies with the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. This joint is responsible for the movements involved with biting and chewing; an injured or inflamed TMJ can lead to many problems. Dr. Fox can diagnose and treat TMJ disorders to help patients find lasting relief; give us a call today to learn more.
There are several symptoms that could point to a TMJ disorder, such as pain or tenderness of the jaw, aching pain the face or in/around the ear, difficulty chewing, and locking of the joint that makes it difficult to open or close your mouth. When you notice any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is to call our office so that we can make a proper diagnosis and plan an appropriate form of treatment based on your situation.
If your teeth don’t come together evenly, your TMJs might be exposed to more stress than necessary, causing them to become strained. By adjusting your upper and lower rows of teeth so that they meet each other at the correct points, we can give your TMJs a chance to recover. These adjustments typically involve removing a small amount of enamel from key points in your mouth, although it might occasionally mean placing dental crowns to build up teeth as well.
Occlusal splints are meant to help prevent teeth grinding, which is a major risk factor for TMJ disorder. The simple oral appliance acts as a barrier between the teeth, protecting them from the damage of grinding and taking some of the pressure off the jaw joint. Occlusal splints can also move the lower jaw slightly forward into a more comfortable resting position in order to give the TMJ a chance to rest and recover, further reducing the pain associated with the disorder.
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