How Your Dentist Addresses TMJ Disorder

Your inability to bite and chew without discomfort is a real cause for concern. Fortunately, it is one that we can take care of at our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office. Patients who express concerns about bite pain, stiffness in their jaw movement, headaches, and teeth grinding can require help with TMJ disorder. To provide relief, we can provide a custom oral appliance that helps improve dental function by addressing trouble with poor joint alignment and stress. We are also here to help if you have problems with dental damage or pain from bruxism, or habitual teeth grinding, which can become especially harmful by causing you to grind your teeth while you are asleep.

Signs That TMJ Disorder Affects You

There are several warning signs that an issue with TMJ disorder needs to be addressed. Trouble with painful or limited bite movement is certainly a concern, as well as the onset of pain that affects your face and neck. The pain and tension affecting your joints and muscles can lead to more headaches, and you can also develop an unconscious teeth grinding habit. We can talk to you about signs of TMJ trouble during a routine dental exam, but if you think something is wrong and you want relief, you can set an appointment to discuss this problem.

Using Oral Appliance Therapy To Resolve Jaw Problems

Oral appliance therapy eases joint and muscle tension by correcting imbalances in your jaw’s position and movement. Better alignment and movement can deliver relief from your troubled bite movement as well as your difficulties with persistent headaches. The appliance that you receive will be custom-made for your oral structures. Worn at night, its presence will reduce tension and encourage a better resting position for your lower jaw.

What If I Also Struggle With Teeth Grinding Issues?

If you also need help because of persistent teeth grinding, we can use oral appliance therapy to protect your smile at night. Grinding and clenching while you are asleep can heighten the stress that causes TMJ pain, and it can also do serious damage to your enamel. If you have concerns about your appearance or oral health because of that damage, we can look into cosmetic or restorative dental work to provide relief.

Talk To Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About TMJ Disorder

Through treatments to resolve problems with TMJ disorder, we can improve the quality of your daily life and help you preserve your oral health. We can also provide treatments to address any problems with dental damage that have affected your smile and oral health. If you would like to find out more, or if you have any other oral health concerns to discuss, please reach out to our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at 913-901-8585.