This patient came to us with intense jaw pain. We used the Kois Center deprogrammer to diagnose and make a treatment plan to create a healthier bite that relieved her jaw pain. Next was Invisalign for the proper alignment, then using exocad Exocad Elite skills to design and SprintRay 3D print an injection stent for composite bonding of several teeth along with some reshaping. Her remaining baby tooth (upper right canine) isn’t here for the long haul but wanted to make it look in the meantime. We are loving the results.
The human body is beautifully designed and highly complex. However, all of the many parts of the body are interconnected which means an issue in one part can actually manifest as pain in another part. This is especially true when it comes to mouth pain. For example, if you’re experiencing pain in your jaw, you might develop aches in your neck, head, or even your back. Are you experiencing jaw pain? A cosmetic dentist can help. Keep reading to learn how a cosmetic dentist can help fix your jaw pain.
How Do Cosmetic Dentists Fix Jaw Pain?
f you have an issue with your jaw, it is not uncommon to also experience problems with other parts of your body. Your jaw is an interconnected joint, so when something goes awry here, your overall health and well-being can suffer. Fortunately, identifying and receiving treatment for jaw problems can correct a wide variety of other unpleasant symptoms that you might be experiencing.
With all of that said, there’s a common ailment that can affect the jaw and other parts of the body – TMJ disorders. What are TMJ disorders? Can a cosmetic dentist help to correct these issues? Below we discuss some helpful information that can put the pain that you might be experiencing in your jaw – and elsewhere – to rest.
An Introduction to TMJ /TMD
TMJ is the abbreviated term for the temporomandibular joint. This joint is one of the two ball-and-socket, interconnected joints that your jaw is comprised of. These jaw joints work together and are responsible for allowing you to move your jaw, up and down, back and forth, and from side to side.
These joints are part of the lower jaw bone, and you can’t move one of them without moving the other. As such, when you have a problem with one of the joints – or with the nerves or muscles that surround them – the term that is used to describe the condition is often called a TMJ disorder. Some dentists also call it TMD, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorder.
TMJ Disorder Causes
TMJ or TMD isn’t one condition that occurs for one particular reason; rather, these terms (which can be used interchangeably) are used to describe a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a variety of factors, which can include:
- Injuries to the temporomandibular joint or the muscles that surround it
- A misaligned jaw
- Conditions that affect joint health, such as arthritis or Ehler-Danlos syndrome
- Repeated and long-term tooth grinding/and or clenching
The Symptoms of TMJ/TMD
TMJ/TMD is a condition that impacts the jaw, specifically. As such, the pain that is associated with this condition usually first manifests in the jaw itself. With that said, however, you might also experience symptoms in other parts of your body, because, as discussed above, the jaw is an interconnected joint and as such, it can impact your overall health and well-being.
For this reason, the symptoms that can be associated with TMJ/TMD can vary widely. Some of the common symptoms that patients who are afflicted with TMJ/TMD experience include the following:
- Pain in the jaw/li>
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, and speaking
- Toothaches
- Clicking, popping, or grating feelings or sounds in the jaw
- Tender, sore, tense, and painful muscles in the jaw, face, neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Regular headaches/earaches that wax and wane
- Pain in the ears
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Muffled hearing
- Dizziness/vertigo
What Can A Cosmetic Dentist Do to Reduce the Pain?
If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, an assessment to diagnose a TMJ disorder is the first step. A cosmetic dentist can perform a thorough assessment of your jaw to determine if, in fact, TMJ/TMD is to blame.
If it is determined that this is, in fact, the condition you are suffering from, a reputable cosmetic dentist will offer several tips that you can use in an attempt to resolve the TMJ pain and discomfort. Treatment options will likely vary but might include the following:
- Stress management; massage, meditation, taking baths, listening to calming music, etc.
- Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and yoga.
- Jaw exercises, which your cosmetic dentist can teach you how to do
In the event that other options don’t resolve the problem, or if a misaligned bite or uneven teeth are the cause, a cosmetic dentist can offer several more advanced treatment options such as:
- Braces
- Invisalign
- Neuromuscular orthodontics
Say Goodbye to Jaw Pain
There are several ways that a cosmetic dentist can help to fix jaw pain. If you’re experiencing pain and discomfort in your jaw, effective treatment planning can help. Seek the guidance and support of a cosmetic dentist near you and say goodbye to jaw pain once and for all!
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All Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha, NE
At All Smiles Family Dentistry, we are proud to provide high-quality care to all our patients both young and old thanks to our compassionate and experienced dental team. We offer a clean and comfortable clinic to help you feel relaxed during your visit. Contact All Smiles Family Dentist.