Serving South Fort Worth.
817-646-4880
7040 Harris Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76132
It may come as a surprise to learn that a misaligned jaw joint can cause headaches and face, neck and shoulder pain, as well as other unpleasant symptoms. The jaw joint, officially called the temporomandibular joint or “TMJ,” is a hinged joint that moves the lower jaw up or down when we talk, eat and yawn.
The jaw joint muscles can become strained to the point of pulling the jaw joint out of alignment. Various things can cause this: the culprit could be trauma, a misaligned bite, habitually grinding and clenching your teeth, or any activity that continually puts undue pressure on the jaw joint. As time goes by, the surrounding bones, muscles and nerves can also become aggravated and the symptoms can become more severe.
Most of the headaches, pain and other symptoms related to jaw joint disorders can be alleviated by putting the TMJ back into alignment and returning your jaw to its optimal position. Dr. Warren will use a state-of-the-art CT scanner to view the bones of your TMJ joint. If your TMJ issues are caused by clenching or grinding your teeth or by a poor bite alignment, Dr. Warren can often help correct these issues by fitting you with a custom night guard or by adjusting your bite.
Typical symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:
Dr. Warren’s first step will be an oral and facial examination. He will look and listen for indicators that your jaw is malfunctioning, such as popping noises when you open and close your mouth. He will also want to know what symptoms you have been experiencing and how often. Dr. Warren will then take a CT scan of your jaw for an in-depth look at the bones associated with your jaw joint.
We use minimally invasive methods to help relieve pressure on the TMJ and correct its alignment. Depending on your circumstances, Dr. Warren will provide you with a night guard or he may adjust your teeth’s biting surfaces in a procedure called “occlusal equilibration.” This involves adjusting your bite so that your teeth come together evenly when you close your jaws. He may also combine these treatments for the greatest effectiveness. These gentle methods can help bring you relief from TMJ disorder symptoms.
A night guard is a custom plastic appliance that is worn at night during sleep. Patients with TMJ issues often clench and grind their teeth at night while sleeping. This puts undue pressure on the muscles and ligaments of the jaw joint while also wearing down the biting surfaces of the teeth. The night guard keeps the top and bottom teeth from touching, preventing grinding and clenching.
Night guards can help alleviate pressure on the jaw joint (and reduce discomfort) by giving the jaw muscles a chance to relax.
Dr. Warren will do a bite analysis to determine if a bite adjustment is needed in your case. He can perform gentle recontouring of any chewing surfaces that are not connecting properly. A bite adjustment could even include repairing or replacing a worn crown or other tooth restoration, depending on the circumstances. Dr. Warren will discuss all of your options and answer any questions.
To make an appointment, call 817-292-8080 or click on the button to request an appointment online.
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