Do you often experience tenderness or discomfort around your jaw? Do you ever hear a popping sound when you open or close your mouth? If you can relate to any of these symptoms, you may have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This is a condition that causes you to place extra stress on your jaw joints, which can lead to feelings of discomfort and other symptoms.
This disorder is quite common, but many patients may be unaware they have it because the symptoms can seem easy to ignore. Your Prairie Village, KS, dentist may be able to help diagnose the condition and create a non-invasive treatment to help relieve your discomfort.
Warning Signs Of TMD
As mentioned above, some common symptoms of TMJ may be soreness around your jaw or a popping sound when you open and close your mouth. In some cases, patients may feel pain that spreads from their jaw to their neck and shoulders. You may be able to temporarily relieve this discomfort with over-the-counter pain medications, but continuous symptoms should be addressed as soon as possible by a professional. Some patients may also begin to grind their teeth as a side effect of TMJ problems. Bruxism is a condition that causes you to chronically grind your teeth when you are unaware. When left untreated, this can seriously damage your enamel.
Untreated TMJ Disorder Can Harm Your Smile
While many instances of TMJ disorder are fairly mild, it’s important that the condition is treated by a professional to prevent worsening symptoms. If this is left untreated, you may experience chronic headaches and discomfort that can interrupt your daily activities. TMD could also be linked to obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause you to stop breathing throughout the night and prevent you from getting adequate rest. In addition to these symptoms, if you are also experiencing bruxism, you may risk your pearly whites becoming worn down rapidly. This can cause tooth sensitivity and will require several restorations in the future.
Restorative Options After Treatment
Your dentist may be able to help relieve your symptoms of TMJ. When you come in for your appointment, they will thoroughly examine your smile and ask about the symptoms you have experienced. Once diagnosed, a custom oral appliance can be created that will alleviate pressure from your jaws while you sleep at night. Additional treatments may be needed to help you restore teeth that have been damaged from bruxism. For example, dental crowns may be used to cover the worn down teeth and protect them from further harm. If you have more significant damage to your smile, prosthetic options such as dentures may be recommended instead.
Schedule An Appointment With Us
If you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, we may be able to help treat the problem without surgery. Call Dr. Dexter in Prairie Village, KS, today at 913-362-8200.