At Rebol Family Dentistry, we are happy to help our patients address any and all dental concerns that they may have. This includes concerns stemming from your facial muscles, gum tissue, and jawbone. When it comes to dental concerns, jaw pain can be one of the most debilitating and distracting concerns to deal with.
To combat chronic jaw pain or TMJ disorders, our office offers comprehensive TMJ treatment options. With our TMJ treatment options, we address the source of your jaw pain directly. Our treatment plans are always customized to each patient and their unique needs. Learn more about our TMJ treatment options below.
TMJ Treatment in Asheville, NC
Dr. Rebol and Dr. Sparks are your experienced restorative dentists in Asheville, NC. They have undergone the extensive training needed to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders are caused by injury or inflammation to the temporomandibular joint of your jaw which connects the lower jaw to the skull. When this joint is injured or inflamed, patients may experience a wide range of symptoms including:
- Jaw pain
- Tension headaches
- Earaches
- Difficulty chewing
- Joint locking
- Muscle spasms
- Cracking or popping noises around the jaw
If you experience any of these symptoms, please mention them during your next dental check-up. Depending on the cause of your TMJ disorder, we will develop a treatment plan designed around your specific needs. To help with misalignment, we can offer Invisalign as an alternative to traditional braces. We can also offer oral appliance therapy to help alleviate pressure around your jawbone and facial muscles as you sleep.
Oral appliance therapy involves the use of a nightguard that holds your jawbone in a healthier resting position as you sleep. This allows patients to wake up with a fully rested smile. Even if you try to clench your jaw or grind your teeth in your sleep, the nightguard will be there to protect your muscles and your dental structures from unwanted damage and irritation.
Some patients may develop jaw pain because they are missing one or more teeth. Missing teeth are detrimental to your dental health. They compromise your smile’s ability to chew and speak effectively. Anything that puts your dental structures under added strain could be the source of your jaw pain. If this is the case for you, we will recommend other restorative tooth replacement options to balance out your smile and alleviate your jaw pain.
The Causes of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can be caused by a variety of different things. One of the most common causes is teeth grinding and clenching. It puts pressure on the jaw joint and the muscles around it, causing tension. Because of this constant tension, the joint connection starts to break down and deteriorate.
An uneven bite causes TMJ disorders as well. When you have an uneven bite, your jaw doesn’t come together like it should. It wears more on one side than the other. The pressure of your bite isn’t evenly distributed like it should be throughout your smile. Not only does this cause problems with your joint, but it causes uneven wear and tear on your teeth as well.
Treatments like Invisalign will need to be used to get your teeth back into the correct alignment.
There are many other things that can contribute to TMJ. We’ll do a full evaluation of your mouth and jaw, and look into your medical records. Things like past trauma or injury can contribute to the issues you’re facing now.
Schedule An Appointment
You don’t have to live with the uncomfortable symptoms of TMJ disorders forever. Schedule an appointment online with our restorative dentists in Asheville, NC today. We look forward to helping you restore your smile and alleviate your jaw pain.