How TMJ treatment from your dentists in Joliet, IL, can save your teeth
Night-time grinding can destroy your smile. The continual stress placed on your teeth during the night can cause chipped, broken, and cracked teeth. That means you will need new restorations. Continual grinding can also cause internal damage to your teeth by bruising the pulp chamber. That means you may need root canal therapy.
If you think you are grinding at night, there is no time to lose. Your dentist can help save your smile. Dr. Lanette Disera and Dr. Christine Dunham in Joliet, IL, provide comprehensive dental care, including TMJ treatment to save your teeth.
Continuous night grinding and clenching can also lead to temporomandibular joint problems. This joint, also known as the TMJ, is complicated because it moves unlike any other joint in your body. It slides, as it works to open and close your mouth.
Because of this unusual movement, the TMJ can become displaced out of proper alignment, especially if you are grinding your teeth at night. The joint still works, but now it is beginning to wear down. The constant wear can lead to permanent damage to the joint. You might begin to feel:
- Severe jaw pain that doesn’t go away
- Chronic, debilitating headaches
- Facial pain that radiates to other areas
- Chronic earaches
- Stiffness and pain when you open and close your mouth
- A clicking and popping sound when you open and close your mouth
- Your jaw locking in place
TMJ and night grinding can make you miserable. It can also lead to destroying your teeth and your smile. Your dentist can treat night grinding and TMJ so you can feel better. Some of the most common treatments include:
- Custom-fit night guards
- Custom-fit splints
- Physical therapy and stretching exercises
- Prescription muscle relaxants, sedatives, and anti-inflammatories
To learn more about TMJ treatment and how it can save your teeth, call Dr. Lanette Disera and Dr. Christine Dunham in Joliet, IL, at (815) 744-4333. Call now and save your smile!