TMD / TMJ

TMJ is an acronym for "temporomandibular joint," the small joint in front of each of your ears that attaches your lower jaw to your skull.

TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) causes damage to the teeth, gums, bones and joints. More women are affected by TMD problems than men. Often, patients visit Dr. Castaneda without even realizing TMD may be the source of their problems.

Causes of TMD

The most common cause of TMD is malocclusion, which simply means your bite is misaligned. Misaligned teeth cannot properly support the face muscles, and, as the individual chews, swallows and talks, the TMJ is strained, resulting in pain. Even if you've had braces to straighten your teeth or have beautiful, straight teeth that never needed braces, you can still have a misaligned bite that can lead to the symptoms of TMD.

Treatment

To treat these issues, Dr. Castaneda uses orthotics, a simple but effective approach to jaw alignment.

Dental orthotics are similar to night mouth guards (also known as a retainers). The function of dental orthotics is vital to your health and a critical part of your TMD treatment at Discover Dental Care. Your orthotic will be custom made to fit your mouth and may be removable or directly affixed to your teeth. The orthotic works as a splint, slowly and gently realigning your jaw and retraining your muscles, moving the position of your upper and lower teeth until they are correctly aligned.

If you think you may be suffering from TMD, please contact Dr. Castaneda at Discover Dental Care to schedule your free consultation in his Shawnee, KS office.

* required | Privacy Policy