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Free Yourself from Jaw Pain with TMJ Treatment

It is common for many people to hold their stress in their mouth and jaw, but the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) feel the consequences of this habit: pain. Dr. Chi Fu cosmetic and restorative dentist in Rye Brook, NY, offer safe and effective TMJ treatment to relieve the discomfort.

What Is TMJ Treatment?

The TMJ are small, triangular-shaped joints located in front of your ears. They play a major role in the human skeletal system, joining the lower jaw and temporal bone, and allowing the mouth to open and close easily. When normal conditions are not present, however, and the muscles and nerves surrounding your jaw become irritated, jaw pain can be the result, also known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

There are several potential reasons for jaw pain:

• Jaw misalignment
• Clenching of the teeth
• Excessive grinding of the teeth
• Arthritis
• Cartilage recession

Symptoms of TMJ Problems

TMJ can be a temporary problem or a chronic, debilitating condition. The dysfunction of the TMJ can create many symptoms, some obvious, and some not so obvious:

 Pain or difficulty opening or closing your mouth

• Chronic headaches, especially in the morning
• Popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth
• Earaches
• Difficulty chewing
• Sharp pain in temple, ear, neck, or shoulders
• Numbness in arms or fingers
• Toothaches
• Sore teeth
• Dizziness
• Achy jaws
• Gum recession
• Cracked teeth
• Enamel erosion
• Damaged dental work

TMJ is such a common condition that, at our Westchester dental practice, we evaluate patients for TMJ dysfunction during every regular dental exam. If you experience symptoms of TMJ in between visits to our office, however, there is no need to suffer with the pain until your next appointment.

TMJ Treatment for TMJ Disorder

When TMJ disorder is discovered, your Chester Hill dentist’s goal is to protect your teeth from further damage and correct the underlying bite misalignment as soon as possible. It’s necessary, however, for the exact cause of the disorder to be determined first so the most appropriate treatment can be developed.

Night guards are an incredibly helpful solution for TMJ disorder. An NTI night guard is an FDA-approved oral appliance. This small bite guard fits over the front teeth and prevents the clenching and grinding habit you may have developed, triggering a nerve reflex to help relax the muscles responsible for the problem.

Traditional night guards are an excellent option for minimizing or eliminating the symptoms of TMJ disorder. The guard fits over the upper arch of teeth to prevent the teeth from crushing against each other.

For some people, nothing short of orthodontics to align the bite will fully reverse their TMJ problem. For others, stress relievers and symptom relief measures may be the only solution necessary. Most TMJ patients need to avoid chewing gum or hard, chewy foods, take small bites, and alternate chewing between both sides of the mouth.

Rye Brook Dentists Offering TMJ Treatment

At Chester Hill Dentistry, Dr. Fu have extensive experiencing in recognizing and diagnosing TMJ. Fast, targeted treatment is essential to protect your teeth and overall oral health. You may already be experiencing some of the fallout from TMJ disorder, like cracked teeth or gum recession. Stop the problems in their tracks, get the restorations you need, and get long-term relief from TMJ problems.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Fu at our dental office, serving the residents of Westchester, Greenwich, Rye Brook, Port Chester, and surrounding areas.