Do you suffer from TMD? If so, you are looking for an effective way to align your smile and relieve your pain at the same time in Bend, Oregon. TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a condition that affects the jaw joint, the muscles that support it, and the surrounding structure. This can lead to a number of different symptoms, some of which can be quite severe. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to help relieve the symptoms and potentially improve your alignment.
What Is TMD?
TMD is defined as a group of conditions that compromise the ability of the jaw joint to work properly. This condition can cause persistent pain in the neck, shoulders, and back, headaches, earaches, dizziness, and tinnitus. It can also cause clicking, popping or grinding sounds when you open and close your jaw. The pain and symptoms associated with TMD can be exacerbated by stress, injury to the jaw joint, and a poor tooth alignment.
It is estimated that over 28 million Americans experience some level of discomfort or pain from TMD. Many people find that chewing food, talking and even yawning become difficult and painful. A recent study estimates that 10.8% of the adult population complains of TMD symptoms moderate to severe. For those in the Bend community, TMD can have a profound impact on your overall quality of life.
How TMD is Caused
There are a variety of factors that can lead to TMD. Injury to the TMJ joint is the most common cause, and is most often linked to either a direct hit or an indirect hit to the head, neck or jaw joint. Furthermore, bruxism, or the unconscious grinding of the teeth, can put excessive pressure on the TMJ, as well as stress and poor posture. One additional cause of TMD is misalignment between the two joints, which results in excessive wear between the surfaces, causing discomfort and damage.
Treatment for TMD
Treatment for TMD typically focuses on managing the symptoms and reducing the tension on the jaw joint. This can include relaxation exercises, physical therapy, and sometimes medication. However, for those who have misaligned teeth that are causing TMD, is important to address the root cause and fix the misalignment. Braces or other orthodontic devices are commonly used to straighten misaligned teeth and jaw position. These can help to improve the way your jaw and teeth fit together, reducing the tension and pain in the jaw joint.
For those in the Bend area looking to address misaligned teeth, it is important to find an experienced orthodontist that can provide a range of treatment options that can help with TMD. An orthodontist can provide a diagnosis, develop a custom treatment plan, and provide state-of-the-art technology to help deliver the best results possible. With the right treatment, patients in Bend, Oregon can expect to see a significant improvement in TMD symptoms and an aligned smile.
Conclusion
TMD can cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort for those in the Bend area, and can be linked to misaligned teeth. Alleviating the symptoms of TMD can be achieved by addressing the root cause, which often involves straightening misaligned teeth. An experienced orthodontist in the Bend area can provide diagnosis and customized treatment options to help relieve TMD and restore an aligned smile. Obtaining relief from this condition should be achieved with the help of a qualified professional, and it is important to seek care as soon as possible.