Natural facial movements such as smiling, talking, and chewing are three common movements you subconsciously make. However, each movement can be excruciatingly painful for an individual struggling with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, despite how carefully they might move their mouth while speaking or eating. Thankfully, TMJ treatment is available. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction (TMD) occurs when sudden movements such as yawning or opening the mouth too wide affect jaw joints and muscles. This onset of the condition is often caused by an injury, gum disease, arthritic inflammation, or excessive movement. Various common TMD symptoms include pain or popping sounds while chewing, face and jaw discomfort, and migraines.
What Are Some Treatment Options?
TMJ treatment can depend on various circumstances, including the cause of the condition. There are noninvasive options available, such as medication or nonsurgical treatments for minor complications. However, if symptoms worsen, one of a few advanced alternatives may be necessary to fix the jaw.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Many patients develop the confidence to smile and talk without hiding their teeth or holding their jaw after full mouth reconstruction. However, the benefits may vary depending on a particular situation, expectations, and goals.
Here are some benefits after a full mouth reconstruction procedure:
- Restores the appearance of the smile
- Corrects alignment issues
- Treats or prevents periodontitis and gingivitis
Neuromuscular Dentistry
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the connection between the biting of the teeth, muscles, and nerves, which are all related to the function of the jaw. It involves corrective surgery for misalignment issues, which can relieve symptoms ranging from slight sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages to stiffness or pain without jaw movement.
Three main benefits of neuromuscular dentistry include the following:
- Jaw pain relief
- Dental alignment correction
- Potential migraine relief
Coronoplasty
Coronoplasty is a procedure that involves reshaping and leveling teeth, which fixes misalignment. It also improves tooth contact patterns and muscle response.
Here’s what you may expect from a coronoplasty procedure:
- Reduces or stops teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Alleviates stress levels
- Improves occlusal areas of the mouth
Restore Your Jaw Health Today in Spokane, WA
Early problem detection and TMJ treatment are vital for maintaining a healthy smile while preventing damage and other issues that can compromise jaw movement and health. If you’re suffering from severe TMJ dysfunction and need treatment, call Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics at 509-532-1111 (South Hill office) or 509-927-2273 (Spokane Valley office) to schedule your appointment.
