General Dentistry
TMJ Treatment in Keller, TX
Do you suffer from sore jaw muscles and teeth, or do you experience headaches and jaw popping? TMJ and bruxism are often undiagnosed and untreated, but there’s no need to deal with the pain! Sky Creek Dental offers multiple treatment options for TMJ and bruxism to give you some relief and to help prevent long-term damage.
TMJ Disorder, Bruxism & Dental Function
When it comes to maintaining how well your bite functions, keeping your teeth clean may not always be enough. Being sure to keep them strong and properly aligned, and maintaining the function of your jaw’s components are also essential. TMJ disorder and bruxism describe two different, but closely related issues that affect your jaw function and the integrity of your oral health. If you are experiencing jaw pain and headaches, it’s time to come and see our expert dentist in Keller, we can help!
TMJ Disorder & Treatment
TMJ disorder, short for temporomandibular joint disorder, can include a number of different issues that affect your jaw joints. Located at the two points where your mandible connects to your skull, TMJs move together to allow your jaw to open, close, and revolve as needed when you bite, chew, and speak. When your bite is not aligned properly (if your teeth are crooked or your jawbone is injured/uneven), the joints can become overly-stressed as they try to keep up with each other. The resulting stress can lead to a TMJ disorder which can, in turn, lead to:
- Recurring headaches & migraines
- Chronic tinnitus (pain and/or ringing in the ears)
- Jaw and facial muscle soreness
- A popping sensation when you open and close your jaw
To treat TMJ disorder, many patients benefit from a custom-designed mouthguard that can be worn at night, and that keeps your jaw and TMJs positioned comfortably. To realign crooked teeth, we might also recommend one of our cosmetic braces systems, such as Invisalign®, ClearCorrect™, or Six Month Smiles®. In some cases, Dr. Cornelius can even help alleviate TMJ inflammation and pain using a carefully administered application of BOTOX at our Keller dental office. This works by relaxing the facial muscles slightly and helps prevent them from engaging in the often-unconscious and powerful movements that cause tension and pain.
Bruxism & Treatment
Bruxism is the clinical name for involuntary teeth grinding and clenching, and it typically only applies to patients who constantly grind and clench their teeth (often at night). It does not necessarily describe the occasional grinding of your teeth due to stress, anger, pain, or other temporary factors. The consistent grinding can cause your teeth to become worn down, can place excessive stress on your jaw joints, and can lead to or exacerbate TMJ disorder. If your teeth are not significantly damaged, or after a worn or cracked tooth is restored, Dr. Cornelius can help you alleviate bruxism with an oral appliance that protects your teeth from touching while you sleep.
Improve Your Bite with TMJ Treatment
If your bite feels off, your jaw pops when you open and close it, or you constantly grind your teeth, then find out how bruxism or TMJ treatment can improve your bite’s function and alleviate pain. To schedule a consultation, call Sky Creek Dental in Keller at 817-431-4200.
We proudly serve the residents of Keller, Roanoke, Trophy Club, Westlake, Southlake, North Richland Hills, and all surrounding communities.