Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a common condition affecting the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. While the symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary, they often include pain in the jaw joint, headaches, and difficulty chewing. Fortunately, orthodontics can play an important role in the treatment of TMJ disorder. Here, a Bournemouth dentist explains the role of orthodontics in TMJ disorder treatment.
What is TMJ disorder?
Before discussing the role of orthodontics in TMJ disorder treatment, it's important to understand what TMJ disorder is. Also known as TMD or TMJD, TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which is located on each side of the head, just in front of the ears. This joint connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull.
TMJ disorder usually develops due to problems with the muscles or the jaw joint itself. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as injury, arthritis, or teeth grinding. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain or tenderness in the jaw, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth, difficulty chewing or speaking, and headaches.
How orthodontics can help
Orthodontics involves the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, including malocclusion (misaligned teeth and jaws). While orthodontic treatment is often associated with straightening teeth, it can also play a role in the treatment of TMJ disorder.
Orthodontic treatment can help align the teeth, jaws, and bite, which can reduce the strain on the TMJ and the surrounding muscles. By correcting these issues, orthodontic treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
The following are some of the ways orthodontics can be used in the treatment of TMJ disorder:
1. Bite correction
One of the primary causes of TMJ disorder is an improper bite, which can put pressure on the joint and surrounding muscles. Orthodontic treatment can help correct an improper bite, which can reduce TMJ pain and other associated symptoms.
2. Jaw repositioning
Orthodontic treatment can help reposition the jaw and teeth, which can relieve stress on the TMJ. This may involve using appliances such as braces or splints to ensure the teeth and jaws are properly aligned.
3. Space management
In some cases, TMJ disorder may be caused by overcrowding of the teeth, which can put pressure on the joint and muscles. Orthodontic treatment can help manage the space between the teeth, which can reduce the strain on the TMJ and alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms.
4. Teeth realignment
Orthodontic treatment can help realign the teeth, which can reduce the pressure on the TMJ and alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms. This may involve using braces or other appliances to move the teeth into their proper position.
While orthodontic treatment can be effective in the treatment of TMJ disorder, it's important to seek out experienced and skilled dental professionals. At our Bournemouth dental practice, we have a team of experienced orthodontists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder and related issues.
Conclusion
TMJ disorder is a common condition that can cause a range of symptoms, including pain in the jaw joint, headaches, and difficulty chewing. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can play an important role in the treatment of TMJ disorder. By correcting issues with the teeth, jaws, and bite, orthodontic orthodontist bournemouth treatment can help reduce the strain on the TMJ and alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms.
If you're suffering from TMJ disorder, it's important to seek out experienced dental professionals who specialize in orthodontic treatment. At our Bournemouth dental practice, we have a team of experienced orthodontists who can help diagnose and treat TMJ disorder and related issues. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
What is TMJ disorder?
Before discussing the role of orthodontics in TMJ disorder treatment, it's important to understand what TMJ disorder is. Also known as TMD or TMJD, TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which is located on each side of the head, just in front of the ears. This joint connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull.
TMJ disorder usually develops due to problems with the muscles or the jaw joint itself. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as injury, arthritis, or teeth grinding. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain or tenderness in the jaw, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth, difficulty chewing or speaking, and headaches.
How orthodontics can help
Orthodontics involves the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, including malocclusion (misaligned teeth and jaws). While orthodontic treatment is often associated with straightening teeth, it can also play a role in the treatment of TMJ disorder.
Orthodontic treatment can help align the teeth, jaws, and bite, which can reduce the strain on the TMJ and the surrounding muscles. By correcting these issues, orthodontic treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
The following are some of the ways orthodontics can be used in the treatment of TMJ disorder:
1. Bite correction
One of the primary causes of TMJ disorder is an improper bite, which can put pressure on the joint and surrounding muscles. Orthodontic treatment can help correct an improper bite, which can reduce TMJ pain and other associated symptoms.
2. Jaw repositioning
Orthodontic treatment can help reposition the jaw and teeth, which can relieve stress on the TMJ. This may involve using appliances such as braces or splints to ensure the teeth and jaws are properly aligned.
3. Space management
In some cases, TMJ disorder may be caused by overcrowding of the teeth, which can put pressure on the joint and muscles. Orthodontic treatment can help manage the space between the teeth, which can reduce the strain on the TMJ and alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms.
4. Teeth realignment
Orthodontic treatment can help realign the teeth, which can reduce the pressure on the TMJ and alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms. This may involve using braces or other appliances to move the teeth into their proper position.
While orthodontic treatment can be effective in the treatment of TMJ disorder, it's important to seek out experienced and skilled dental professionals. At our Bournemouth dental practice, we have a team of experienced orthodontists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder and related issues.
Conclusion
TMJ disorder is a common condition that can cause a range of symptoms, including pain in the jaw joint, headaches, and difficulty chewing. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can play an important role in the treatment of TMJ disorder. By correcting issues with the teeth, jaws, and bite, orthodontic orthodontist bournemouth treatment can help reduce the strain on the TMJ and alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms.
If you're suffering from TMJ disorder, it's important to seek out experienced dental professionals who specialize in orthodontic treatment. At our Bournemouth dental practice, we have a team of experienced orthodontists who can help diagnose and treat TMJ disorder and related issues. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.