Have you spent months or even years suffering from jaw pain or difficulty chewing without understanding why? Do you hear popping noises when you open your jaw, or suffer from frequent headaches or neck pain? Many people don’t realize that these are all common symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, or TMJ as it is most commonly called. This can come as a result of poor teeth alignment, subconscious teeth grinding, or even tooth damage. Fortunately, dentists that specialize in TMJ treatment can often offer minimally invasive forms of TMJ treatment that can alleviate patients’ pain and make chewing, and smiling, more comfortable for them.

Enjoy Comfort Again with TMJ Treatment

The causes of TMJ problems can vary widely, from alignment problems, tooth damage that can cause people to subconsciously chew ineffectively, to nighttime teeth grinding known as bruxism. Fortunately, in most cases dentists can offer treatment that can help to alleviate the pain associated with TMJ dysfunction.

For some patients, this may mean using orthodontic treatment like Invisalign to help correct alignment problems that could actually have far-reaching repercussions. For others, the best course of action could be addressing damaged teeth, in order to enable more even and comfortable chewing. Finally, many patients can benefit from the use of occlusal splints, which are customized forms of mouth guards, meant to help alleviate pressure on the temporomandibular joints, and also to prevent subconscious or stress-related teeth grinding.

Besides jaw pain, frequent headaches, tension throughout the jaw or neck, popping noises, discomfort chewing or even pain when yawning or opening one’s mouth can all be warning signs of TMJ-related problems.

Ready for TMJ Treatment?

TMJ treatment can help to reduce jaw pain, and related symptoms. You can schedule a TMJ consultation with Dr. Steven Huffstutler in Ft. Worth, TX, today by calling 817-918-3038.