Is your jaw out of alignment? When your teeth come together, your jaw should rest comfortably. For many people, that is not the case. This can be due to an injury, tooth grinding (bruxism), or even a new crown that throws off your bite. The misalignment affects your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a joint which allows you to yawn, sing, talk, and chew. Known as TMJ, in Nashville, TN, the condition can cause painful symptoms that affect more than your jaw.

Know the Symptoms of TMJ

How do you know if you have TMJ disorder? Jaw pain is the most common symptom. Pain can also occur in the facial muscles, neck, or shoulders. Earaches, ringing in the ears, difficulty opening the jaw or even an inability to open the jaw, are all signs of this disorder. Bruxism is often associated with TMJ so if you wake up with tooth pain from grinding, it is a strong indication that you suffer from this condition.

What is Occlusal Adjustment?

When you allow your jaw to rest, your teeth should fit together properly, but changes in alignment or new restorations can alter your bite. If, for example, your new filling is higher than the natural tooth structure it replaced, it may create a new point of contact that produces an awkward resting position for your jaw.

With an occlusal adjustment, your doctor can identify these higher points of contact using mylar paper and then file the problem teeth down by tiny bits, which adjusts the misaligned bite that causes jaw and tooth pain. Even the smallest alteration can allow the jaw to return to its proper position. Occlusal adjustments are one of many successful treatments used to alleviate symptoms of TMJ in Nashville, TN.

 

To learn whether occlusal adjustment can help your jaw pain, call our office today. Schedule a consultation with at Nashville Periodontal Group to find relief for your TMJ symptoms. Dr. Bill Akin can help relieve your TMD symptoms with an occlusal adjustment.