TMJ Therapy – Dyer, IN
Relief from Jaw
and Facial Pain
Your lower jaw is connected to the skull via the temporomandibular joints, also known as the TMJs. These small yet vital joints allow you to move your jaw in all directions, allowing you to chew tougher foods, pronounce words with clarity, and perform all kinds of oral tasks such as yawning. But because these joints are often susceptible to excess stress or strain, they can often suffer from a painful disorder known as TMJ dysfunction (TMD). You don’t have to have TMD for the rest of your life; the Advanced Dental Concepts team has a number of therapy options that can address the stress or injury that’s stopping your smile from functioning properly. Call us today if you have questions or would like to set up a visit for TMJ therapy in Dyer, IN.
Why Choose Advanced Dental Concepts
for TMJ Therapy?
-
Fully Personalized
Nightguards -
A Caring
Dental Team -
Focus on Conservative
Treatments
Diagnosis & Treatment
Screening for TMD is one of the many steps we take during a routine dental checkup. You might also notice symptoms of issues with your TMJ at home. We recommend that you let us know right away if you ever:
- Start to hear a clicking or grinding noise on a regular basis when you move your jaw.
- Often have trouble opening and closing your mouth all the way.
- Suffer from chronic pain in your jaw, your neck, your head, or your ears, especially in the morning.
- Pain or difficulty chewing or speaking or moving the jaw at all.
As part of our ongoing effort to provide conservative dental treatment, we will make every effort to figure out the root of the problem as soon as possible so that it can be addressed directly. Note that orthodontics or surgery might be required if TMD has become particularly advanced.
Occlusal Splints
“Occlusion” is a term that describes the way the teeth fit together. Sometimes TMD occurs due to an occlusal issue, which is where an occlusal splint comes in. The appliance will hold the jaw in a more comfortable resting position, and it will cut down on unnecessary movement during the night. This ultimately leads to less strain on the joints. Occlusal splints are sometimes called “nightguards” and can also be prescribed to protect your teeth from the effects of bruxism.
Occlusal Adjustments
An occlusal adjustment involves removing small amounts of enamel from the teeth (or in some cases, adding material to build them up) to improve the overall harmony of the bite and distribute the pressure more evenly throughout the mouth to lessen the damage in any given area.
Facial movement exercises, daily stretches, and braces or retainers can also go a long way towards helping people recover from a TMJ disorder.