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When you think of a dentist, you likely imagine a doctor for your teeth and gums. After all, dental practices mainly focus on your smile! In truth, though, dentists care for more than pearly whites and gum tissue. Among other things, they can also help out with TMJ issues. If you’d like to learn how that’s possible, your local Cary practice will happily explain. Here, then, is a summary of TMJ pain, why to see a dentist for it, and how they would help.
Some Context: What’s TMJ Pain?
If you didn’t already know, TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint – a body part connecting your jawbone to your skull. Due to having one on each side of your jaw, you can open and close your mouth.
Your TMJ can suffer pain when it gets injured or changes in structure. Should either happen, you’d develop a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Besides jaw discomfort, this condition’s symptoms include jaw clicking, headaches, facial swelling, and more. Such things can be very unpleasant to endure.
Why Turn to a Dentist for It?
True enough, dentists mainly ensure the health of teeth and gums. Even so, they’re also trained to grasp your jaw’s anatomy. Therefore, they know the ins and outs of TMD – so much so they can diagnose it promptly.
At the same time, jaw issues often stem from dental problems. For instance, an unbalanced bite can strain your jawbone’s joints. That being the case, a dentist has solutions for TMJ discomfort that fix the underlying dental cause.
How Would a Dentist Help?
The right dentist can easily help out with your TMJ pain. Based on the issue’s severity, they might offer one of the following options:
- A Nightguard – If your TMD’s cause is nightly tooth grinding, a practice may give you a custom nightguard. The latter would protect your pearly whites from damage and ease TMD symptoms.
- Occlusal Adjustment – By slightly altering the shape of your teeth, a dentist can take pressure off the TMJ and help it function better.
- Orthodontic Work – Since jaw alignment issues can cause TMD, a dentist could recommend orthodontic treatment. In doing so, your teeth and jaws would realign and close in the proper position.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t have to face TMJ pain in your life. Instead, visit your local dentist for much-needed relief!
About the Author
Dr. Darren G. Koch is a dentist based in Cary, NC, having earned his DDS from the University of Buffalo. He primarily specializes in family dentistry, offering a wide range of services. These procedures span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, not to mention emergency care. He even offers treatment for bruxism and TMJ issues! Dr. Koch currently practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (919)-859-6633.
