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The 5 common symptoms of TMD and the role of orthodontics

Tuesday, 9th August, 2022

If you are experiencing any of 5 particular symptoms, you may have temporomandibular disorder (TMD). These are jaw pain, jaw clicking or popping, difficulty opening your mouth wide, headaches and neck pain. TMD is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull. If you think you may have TMD, exploring orthodontics Navan at our dentist is crucial, so that they can properly diagnose and treat the condition. There are several different treatments for TMD, including physical therapy, medication, and surgery. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, our dentist will work with you to create a treatment plan that is right for your situation.

What is TMD and what are the symptoms?

As temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition that affects the very important temporomandibular joint, it can have a huge impact on day-to-day functions of the mouth and neck. TMD can cause pain in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, as well as problems chewing and swallowing. If you think you have TMD it is important to see a doctor or our dentist at Navan Dental, so that they can diagnose and treat the disorder.

How is TMD diagnosed?

If you think you have TMD, you should consult our dentist without delay. We will be able to diagnose TMD by taking a look at your mouth and asking about your symptoms. We may also carry out X-rays or other tests to help determine the cause of your TMD.

TMD diagnoses are often delayed as the symptoms are often chalked up to other conditions such as sinus infections or earaches. Thus the symptoms can very often worsen.

The most important thing you can do if you think you have TMD is to see a member of our team so they can suggest treatment. Once they have thoroughly investigated your symptoms, our dentist will work with you to create a treatment plan that is right going forward to alleviate the problem.

Treatment options for TMD

There are a few treatment options for people who think they have TMD. One option is to see a dentist who specialises in treating TMD, such as a prosthodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon. These dentists may recommend one or more treatments, and we are happy to have these specialists at our surgery. Braces or dental implants are the standard orthodontics Navan to correct any problems with the alignment of the teeth. A mouth guard or splint to be worn at night can prevent teeth grinding (bruxism).

As far as medication goes, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medications can relieve pain and muscle spasms.

Our dentist may also work on bite adjustment, which involves changing the way the teeth fit together, to alleviate the condition.

If you're experiencing any of the 5 symptoms of TMD, it's important to see our team about orthodontics Navan and other solutions so that we can properly diagnose and treat the condition. There are many different treatments for TMD and our dentist will resolve your symptoms with the most appropriate for your situation.

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