Focusing on your work meeting is the last thing you can keep your mind on because of those bad headaches you’ve been having. It may seem like a small annoyance, but you notice it affecting your day-to-day life. Chronic headaches can be inconvenient symptoms of a much larger problem. These, along with jaw pain and vertigo can be tell-tale signs of TMJ disorder. TMJ treatment in Lincoln could provide you with multiple options to improve your everyday life and relieve the stress you’re putting on your jaw.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint which is the joint responsible for attaching your lower jaw to the rest of your skull. When those joints are put under significant amounts of stress, you could have TMD or temporomandibular disorder.
Your TMJ makes two different major motions: it opens and closes like a door and it also creates a sliding motion that moves forward and backwards. Your TMJ is responsible for helping you complete many tasks like eating, yawning and talking. If it’s exerted too much, it could swell, become sore or even be fractured which can affect the everyday functions that it serves.
What are the Symptoms for TMD?
When your TMJ is put under an incredible amount of stress, it can cause a number of physical symptoms:
- Migraines
- Vertigo
- Tenderness around jaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Locking of your jaw, making it difficult to open and close your mouth
- Aching around ear
It’s important to see a dentist if you experience a consistent tenderness in your jaw or if you have limitations opening and closing it.
What Causes TMD?
There are many factors that could cause TMJ:
- Forward head posture can tighten your head, face and neck muscles over time that can cause TMD. A good way to prevent this is to stand tall and make sure your ears and shoulders are aligned.
- If you’ve previously injured your jaw playing sports or in an accident, this can be a cause for TMJ.
- Grinding and clenching your teeth can put excessive amounts of stress on your jaw and strain your TMJ.
- Lastly, arthritis can show up in your TMJ as you get older.
TMJ Treatment Options
When you schedule an appointment with your dentist in Lincoln, they will be able to create a TMJ treatment plan for you. Your dentist will examine your jaw by taking measurements, surveying the position and establishing the power of your bite. Based on all of this, they will will establish a special treatment that will help to ease your discomfort and allow your TMJ to function efficiently and effectively.
Depending on your examination, your dentist will either elect to put you through equilibration/occlusal adjustments, or occlusal splints. If your TMD is determined to be caused by a misaligned bite, occlusal adjustments may be the answer you’ve been needing. This plan is meant to correct how your teeth connect. The dentist will adjust your teeth to more evenly distribute your bite and cause less targeted stress on your TMJ.
The other treatment you could get are occlusal splints. This is the most common treatment plan for TMD and prevents harmful teeth grinding at night. These splints are specifically designed mouthguards made with an acrylic resin created to guide the jaw to reduce the impact of grinding and clenching. It supports the TMJ and puts less stress on the muscles you use to chew and talk. Most patients report that consistently using the splints will provide a permanent improvement.
Keeping Your TMJ Healthy and Functioning
Just like teeth, your TMJ needs regular dental checkups to help keep it functioning and healthy. It’s recommended that you take preventive measures and schedule routine cleanings and checkups twice a year to keep your smile in great shape. If you notice any worrisome symptoms that indicate TMJ disorder, it’s important to alert your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding spends time with his patients to properly diagnose and create an effective treatment plan for them. Nothing is more important to him than his dedication to fine-tuning his education and keeping up with the latest dental advancements. For questions about TMD or to schedule a routine checkup, please visit his website or call (402) 488-2325.