Stop Jaw Pain With TMJ Treatment in West Union

A functional temporomandibular joint (TMJ) works without pain or discomfort. However, if it becomes inflamed, it can lead to a disorder that makes it difficult to chew or open your mouth. If you need TMJ treatment in West Union, we can:

Allow you to eat the foods you love with ease
Stop annoying popping or clicking sounds when you chew
Give your jaw much-needed relief from grinding or clenching
Help you wake up without jaw pain
Reduce wear-and-tear on your teeth

Call 563-677-6861 for an appointment. Ask about our membership plan for savings on treatment!

Get a Custom Mouthguard for Your TMJ Disorder

Your TMJs are the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. They work like a hinge, allowing you to open and close your mouth. If they get irritated or inflamed, it can cause a painful TMJ disorder. It can be caused by injury, a misaligned bite, or pressure from a teeth grinding habit.

If the malfunction of your TMJ has occurred due to teeth grinding, our custom-made oral appliance can help. During your appointment, we’ll start with an exam and take digital X-rays to determine the best treatment for you. Some patients benefit from orthodontics if a misaligned bite causes their TMJ disorder. We may also recommend restorative care to repair damaged or uneven teeth that caused the problem.

If we determine a mouthguard is right for you, we’ll take digital scans to get impressions of your teeth. Then we send the information to an outside lab to create your customized appliance. You’ll wear it while you sleep, since that’s the most common time for people to grind or clench their teeth. You can expect these benefits:

Comfortable Fit – Your bite guard will be made specifically for you. As a result, you’ll barely notice it in your mouth while you sleep.
Effective Results – This device acts as a cushion between your teeth. It alleviates the pressure from your jaw, allowing it to heal.
Lasts for Years – A store-bought bite guard may need replacing every few months. A custom-made one is made of high-quality plastic that can last for years.

Call 563-677-6861 for TMJ treatment in West Union. You can also schedule online.

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Common Questions About TMJ Treatment / Teeth Grinding

Does TMJ treatment work?

The key to relieving TMJ pain is easing pressure on your jaw. To do that, we can make you an appliance that gently moves your jaw into a position that keeps pressure off your jaw. The appliance also keeps you from clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, two behaviors that trigger TMJ pain.

How long does TMJ treatment take?

We understand you want to end the pain caused by a TMJ disorder as soon as you can. The truth is that treatment can take weeks or months, depending on the severity of your situation and what needs to be done. For most patients, an oral appliance is a perfect solution in and of itself. Others may need orthodontics or restorations to realign teeth to reduce grinding in the long term.

What are the signs of a TMJ disorder?

Signs of a TMJ disorder may include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when chewing, difficulty opening the mouth completely, facial pain, headaches, and ear pain or ringing. Some people also experience neck and shoulder pain or toothaches unrelated to dental problems. Also, your jaw may feel locked or stuck. If you experience any of these symptoms, visit our practice for help.

Is TMJ causing my headaches?

It’s possible, yes. Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to pain in the surrounding muscles of the head and neck, which can be misinterpreted as migraines. By wearing a mouthguard, you can alleviate the pain caused by TMJ inflammation and potentially experience relief from headaches.