When you have an imbalance in your bite, this could stress your jaw joints and leave you vulnerable to TMJ disorder, also known as TMD. Without treatment, you could develop painful symptoms and complications in your daily life. Fortunately, your Overland Park, KS, prosthodontist can offer relief with oral appliance therapy and other treatment options.
The Factors Behind TMD
TMJ disorder occurs when factors lead to stress on your jaw joints. For example, untreated bruxism (teeth grinding), injury to the jaw, missing teeth, injuries, or issues with the growth of your smile or the eruption of your teeth could all strain your jaw joints. You then become vulnerable to TMJ disorder, which causes a host of uncomfortable symptoms and even complicates how you open and close your mouth. If you don’t grind your teeth, untreated TMD could lead to bruxism with time.
Warning Signs and Complications
People may encounter a popping or clicking sensation in your smile, as well as headaches, jaw pain, migraines, or aches in your face, neck, and shoulders. If you grind your teeth, then pain in your teeth is possible too, due to pressure and damage. Your discomfort could increase with time, and your smile could become vulnerable to complications like teeth grinding, tooth decay, and other major oral health issues. We want to help return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty with our treatment options.
Treatment and Tooth Replacement
Should you have damaged teeth, or poor bite balance, then we could help by attaching custom-made dental crowns, providing options that look natural. If you have missing teeth, we could discuss dental bridges or even dental implants. An oral appliance, one that fits and looks like a mouthguard, can be crafted to be worn at night. The appliances then shift the jaw to ease strain and discomfort, and also puts a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to avoid damage due to teeth grinding. With prosthodontic care, we can improve the balance and beauty of your smile, and bring relief to your joint issues.
If you have any questions about how our team diagnoses and treats concerns like TMJ disorder or bruxism, or about how we provide repair teeth that have been injured or eroded, then contact our team today. We want to help you and your family enjoy a strong and comfortable smile, one you never hesitate to show off to the world.
OBTAIN A COMFORTABLE SMILE WITH DR. DEXTER, DDS!
We would love to help you maintain a healthy and whole smile by addressing your TMJ dysfunction. To learn more about treating your disorders, give us a call and speak with Overland Park and Prairie Village, KS prosthodontist, Dr. Stuart Dexter, DDS at (913)362-8200!