The results of successful TMD treatment can literally be life-changing. People who have suffered chronic pain for years without a definitive diagnosis can find themselves pain-free and able to enjoy life again.
TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is caused when the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) becomes misaligned. This is often caused by an irregular bite. If your bite is uneven, the jaw muscles try to pull your teeth into alignment, leading to tension, spasm, and even locking of the jaw. Even if the jaw itself doesn't spasm, it's pulled out of ideal position, which puts pressure on facial nerves, causing pain in the neck, eyes, ears, or face, and even ringing in the ears or chronic headaches.
When you're diagnosed with TMD, Dr. Quigless will evaluate the placement of your jaw. Using a TENS unit, he'll completely relax the jaw muscles so the mandible can fall into the proper place. Once this proper placement is determined, he'll decide what treatments will be most effective is keeping it properly positioned.
Possible approaches to correcting TMD include:
- Dental work
- Orthodontic work
- Orthotic devices
Most TMD treatments will involve a combination of these approaches, but the final goal is always the same: to properly align the jaw and permanently relieve your pain.
For more information about TMD diagnosis and treatment, please contact Dr. Kirk Quigless at his St. Louis, Missouri dentistry offices. We'll be happy to answer you questions and schedule an appointment to see if TMD treatment will work for you.
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