TMJ

TMJ Appliance

TMJ treatment may involve fitting you with a physiologic bite appliance. This is an extremely effective therapy that can hold your jaw in place while you sleep. It also prevents the chronic clenching and grinding that contributes to TMJ disorder. A bite appliance is a great treatment option for patients suffering from jaw problems due to a range of issues, from arthritis to joint displacement. Another benefit is that it is a conservative treatment approach — patients simply need to wear the appliance while they sleep.

To craft a custom appliance, we will take custom impressions and images at our Warsaw practice. Then, skilled dental lab technicians will fabricate an appliance that offers a precise fit and addresses your TMJ disorder symptoms.

Stress Relief

Stress can affect your health in so many different ways. Stress can trigger bruxism, which makes TMJ disorder worse. Still, many patients are surprised to learn that stress may be contributing to TMD. During your appointment, we can suggest ways to alleviate stress, such as meditation, exercise, and more sleep.

Lifestyle Changes & Other Remedies

Lifestyle changes and other remedies can relieve the symptoms of TMD for some of our patients. Some tips include:

• Avoid chewing gum or hard, chewy food
• Take small bites
• Alternate chewing between both sides of the mouth
• Good nutrition can help the joint heal more quickly
• Good posture can help relieve discomfort
• Maintain a straight back, relaxed neck, and side-sleeping position 
• To relieve soreness, light temple and jaw massage can stimulate circulation and relax the muscles
• Alternating moist heat and cold for 20 minutes can further increase circulation and reduce pain
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or analgesics can reduce discomfort and swelling

Orthodontic Care

Bite misalignment is one of the most common contributors to TMD. Depending on the cause, this issue can be addressed with various treatments. Patients with existing bite misalignment may need to undergo orthodontic treatment to bring the teeth and bite into their ideal positions. At our Warsaw practice, we offer Invisalign® to discreetly straighten the teeth and improve the bite. For patients with more severe orthodontic issues that require braces, we can refer you to a skilled orthodontist.

Restorative Dentistry

Patients who have developed changes to their bite due to bruxism, tooth wear, tooth loss, or other dental problems may require treatment to improve the bite. Crowns can be placed over the teeth that have suffered extensive damage and wear to balance the bite. Tooth loss can be addressed with traditional bridges, dentures, or with implant-supported restorations. During your exam, we will determine which treatments are needed to align your bite, and by extension, your temporomandibular joints so you can experience long-term relief from the condition.