Do you experience a regular popping or clicking sensation in your jaw? This could not only be weird and annoying, but this could indicate the presence of a serious disorder. In today’s blog, Dr. Robert M. Browne talks about how we stop popping and crackling in the jaw with TMJ treatment!
The Source of Your Popping Jaw
How does TMJ disorder develop? This often occurs when various factors place strain on the jaw joints. The source of the strain could include tooth loss, misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or issues with the growth and development of the smile. The arrival of your wisdom teeth could be a factor too. With time, this could lead to issues opening and closing your mouth. Symptoms include popping or clicking in the smile, which we discussed, as well as headaches, migraines, jaw and facial pain, and even aches in the neck and shoulders.
The Link to Bruxism
Did you know that TMJ disorder could also lead to another serious issue known as bruxism? Chronic teeth grinding could develop as a result of the pressure on your bite, and this could mean severe pressure on the teeth. As the teeth are worn down, cracked, and chipped, this can leave them vulnerable to serious issues like tooth decay and infection, threatening your comfort and even the stability of your smile! But we have a treatment option that can bring relief from both TMJ disorder and bruxism: a custom oral appliance.
Oral Appliance Therapy
To custom-fit an oral appliance for your smile, we will take detailed digital images of your bite with an intraoral camera. The device will use a tiny digital camera, at the end of a thin wand, so we can take images from multiple angles quickly and comfortably. We then combine these to create a 3D model of your bite. With this information, we can design and craft an oral appliance, one that looks and fits like a mouthguard.
When worn at night, this will help shift your bite to prevent the strain behind your symptoms, so you can enjoy relief during your waking hours. If you also grind your teeth, this places a soft barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further injuries and complications. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like TMJ disorder, or if you are ready to try TMJ treatment, then contact our team today to get started.
Dr. Browne, DDS, Provides TMJ Treatment
We are ready to stop the source of your discomfort with an oral appliance. To find out more about our genial dental treatments, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Robert M. Browne, D.D.S. in Prairie Village, KS at (913) 901-8585.
