Chronic jaw pain is one of the more difficult things you can deal with in dentistry. It really is a debilitating thing for a lot of patients. We have different ways of handling that in our practice, whether it’s a dental appliance or correcting bite issues through moving teeth or through dental restorations to help restore tooth structure that’s been lost over the years.
And then for our more extreme cases, we do have some specialists that we also call on to help us out for the more extreme cases. So whether it’s simply that you are clenching your teeth when you’re sleeping at night, or whether it’s the other extreme of you have a jaw that’s locking open or closed and causing severe pain and discomfort, we have solutions available to get you the care that you need.
Say Goodbye to Your TMJ Problems
If you’d like to enjoy your mealtimes more and not wince when opening and closing your mouth, you’ve come to the right place. Using a comfortable TMJ appliance, we can treat pain in your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). These complex joints are situated on both sides of your skull and make it possible to move your jaw.
When your TMJs become inflamed, they can cause you quite a bit of pain. It can be excruciating to perform everyday tasks like chewing your food or talking. In addition, teeth grinding is both a cause of and a symptom of TMJ issues. Over time, grinding (also known as bruxism) can damage your tooth enamel, requiring new crowns or other treatment for the repair. Bruxism can also contribute to headaches and migraines.
A custom-fitted TMJ appliance will improve your quality of life. It will:
- Rest comfortably in place while you sleep, exerting gentle pressure to move your lower jaw slightly forward
- Relieve the tension on your TMJs, so they can begin to heal
- Help your jaw joints feel better, so you won’t experience pain when opening and closing your mouth
- Protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding
For effective TMJ treatment in Smyrna, call Legacy Hill Dentistry today at 615-510-6996. You can also make an appointment online.