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740-214-1301Unless you’ve studied anatomy, you’ve probably never heard of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ). You have two of them, one on either side of your head. They connect your jaw to your skull. And in some people, they cause jaw pain that is known as a TMJ disorder (TMD).
Dr. Charles Hawkins on treating TMJ at Hawkins Complete Dental Service
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How we treat soreness in your jaws is we will bring you in and we'll do an exam on you to see exactly what's going on. What we usually do is we usually make a splint, and the splint will keep your teeth apart at night so you won't be grinding. We'll bring you back in two weeks, see if the splint is working. If it's working pretty good, we do a little bit adjustments, put the splint back in there and you're ready to go.
I see a lot of improvement when they're able to get some sleep. When they wake up—because if you're grinding at night it's going to make you sore and it's going to wake you up—once you get a good quality night's sleep, you're ready for the rest of your day.
If you’ve got a TMJ disorder, Zanesville, OH dentist Dr. Charles Hawkins may be able to relieve your pain with a custom mouth guard made in-house. Wearing a mouthguard relieves pressure on your jaw and also prevents teeth grinding, which is a possible cause of TMD.
To discuss your jaw pain with Dr. Hawkins, call Hawkins Complete Dental Service at 740-214-1301.
Custom Mouthguards Make You More Comfortable
A custom mouthguard will keep you from grinding your teeth. In addition to being linked to TMJ disorders, teeth grinding can result in worn-down teeth or dental damage such as cracks and breaks. Mouthguards also gently move your jaw into a position that relieves the pressure on your TMJ, pressure that can result in symptoms including:
- Tender or painful jaw
- Earaches
- Chronic headaches
- Difficulty chewing
Mouthguards are the most conservative approach to relieving TMJ pain. A mouthguard is far more affordable than other possible TMJ treatments, which can involve orthodontics and surgery, and it will provide the quickest relief.
Replacing Missing Teeth May Relieve TMJ Troubles
Missing teeth can affect your bite, which in turn can affect your TMJ. So Dr. Hawkins may recommend replacing any missing teeth to relieve this problem. Replacing missing teeth will also make it easier for you to chew, eat, and speak. Your tooth replacement options include:
- A dental bridge
- Dentures
- Dental implants, restored with a dental crown, a dental bridge, or dentures
If you think you might have a TMJ disorder, call Hawkins Complete Dental Service at 740-214-1301. We’re happy to discuss a custom mouthguard and other possible treatments. Our Zanesville, OH dentist office is near Eaglesticks Golf Club and Foxfire High School.