You yawn, you eat, you speak, you move your face … and you hurt. You hear clicking and popping, have unexplained headaches, ear aches, shoulder aches, and neck aches, yet you brush it off and take more anti-inflammatory medication, hoping it will pass. It’s time to ask for some help! These are all indications that you may be dealing with a disorder of the temporomandibular (jaw) joint, or TMD. The Clinton Dental Center team has both the knowledge and experience to help you live without the pain of TMD.
The Basics
On either side of your face, connecting your upper and lower jaws, is the temporomandibular joint. When the teeth, jaw, neck, and facial structures are properly aligned, your TMJ functions as it should. When any of those parts are out of alignment, you could end up with a temporomandibular joint disorder. These types of misalignments can be caused by any number of things: an injury sustained during a car accident or other event, arthritis, crooked teeth, and clenching or grinding, just to name a few.
Where We Come In
There are two very effective non-surgical treatments for temporomandibular disorders: the first is an orthotic device and the second is orthodontic treatment.
- The orthotic device aligns your jaw, relieving the pressure that causes the pain. Each device is customized to the needs of the patient, making it both efficient and comfortable. The amount of time each patient needs to wear the device varies according to the severity of their TMD and associated symptoms.
- Orthodontics aren’t just about straight teeth; they can also allow us to permanently (with the help of a retainer) shift the teeth and jaw into alignment and correct TMD. The type of orthodontics and duration of treatment is unique to each patient.
If you’ve been dealing with any of the symptoms mentioned above, please let us put an end to your discomfort. Pain is your body’s way of saying that something is wrong, so while you may have determined that pain is just something to be tolerated, your body is sending you a constant cry for help. Stop taking medications and let us correct the cause of your pain.
When you’re ready to live pain free, we’re here to help. Contact us soon to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve patients from Chesterfield, Michigan, and the surrounding areas.
