TMJ Treatment

Treat Your Chronic Jaw Pain

Occlusal disease commonly referred to as TMJ can be painful and diminish the quality of your life. Graduates of the Dawson Academy, Charleston dentists Dr. James Dickert and Dr. Agatha Lynn have advanced training in the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. West Ashley Family Dentistry offers a variety of TMJ treatment options to help solve the root of your pain.

Signs You Have TMJ

Teeth grinding is one of the number one signs and symptoms of TMJ. The problem with teeth grinding, most patients do it while asleep and are unaware of their actions. If you notice any cracks or wear on the surfaces of your teeth, you may be teeth grinding. You may also frequently wake up with headaches or soreness in your jaw.

A misaligned bite or crooked teeth can lead to teeth grinding or jaw pain. If your jaw pops or clicks this is a good indicator you may have TMJ.

Reasons To Treat TMJ

Occlusal disease can cause chronic daily pain that will begin to affect your daily life. You may wake up feeling tired, with headaches or soreness in your jaw. It may also cause damage to your teeth and gums. Early diagnosis and treatment of TMJ are essential in order to avoid further damage or advanced oral health concerns.

Treatment Options

Dr. Dickert and Dr. Lynn believe in complete dentistry. They evaluate your entire oral and overall health to build an accurate treatment plan that will address the root of your problems. Treating the cause of oral health concerns helps to build a healthy and stable oral foundation for a beautiful and lasting smile.

In some cases, multiple treatments will be needed to restore your oral health. Depending on your personal cosmetic goals and oral health needs a combination of splint therapy, bite correction and orthodontics may be used. Invisalign has proven to be highly effective in straightening bite misalignment in TMJ cases. For mild TMJ cases a mouth guard, much like a sports mouthguard can be worn while sleeping to prevent grinding.