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The Impact On Your Health

Untreated TMJ disorder can lead to a variety of issues that can affect your oral health and overall well-being. These include:

Bruxism

Also known as teeth grinding, bruxism can cause tooth enamel to wear, teeth to fracture, chip, and loosen. Bruxism can also increase tooth sensitivity and result in pain or soreness in the jaw muscles, neck, or around the face. Joint degeneration often noticed as ‘popping’ or ‘clicking’, can affect the ability to open or close, including pain

Damage to the jawbone

Continuous wear on the cartilage in your jaw can compromise its form and function. Your jawbone may begin to erode or become dislocated. This can also impact your bite, causing misalignment and reversing results of previous orthodontia.

Malnutrition 

Patients with chronic dental pain may avoid eating healthy foods like fruits or vegetables, which may be more difficult to chew. A limited diet can lead to malnutrition and systemic issues.

Ear Problems 

In some cases, TMD has been associated with ear problems, as an example a ringing in the ears (‘Tinnitus’). Currently it is only an association, not proven to be related to a cause and/or effect.  

There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing TMD, including stress, age, medications, and other health conditions. To determine the best form of treatment for your needs, it is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose all the underlying contributing factors. 

It is our goal to provide you with the individualized care and attention you deserve. 

Find Relief at Home 

Patients can take several actions at home to alleviate pain and discomfort associated with bruxism, including:

• Apply hot or cold compresses
• Take anti-inflammatory medications
• Eat a soft-food diet
• Avoid intense jaw movements such as chewing gum or singing 
• Perform stretching exercises 

In addition to home remedies, we may also recommend a custom-crafted splint.

How We Can Help

Drs. Stokke and Bagby can design an occlusal splint to create a small space between your upper and lower jaw. This relieves pressure on the jaw joints, inhibit overactive muscles, and results in less damage to your teeth. In addition to helping you feel more comfortable, we are also concerned with the effects of TMD on your overall oral health. We seek to provide our patients with proactive solutions that can help prevent the need for more serious treatment in the future. Oral appliance therapy can also help reduce grinding and protect your teeth from excessive wear and tear. Our splints are composed of a clear acrylic material, so they provide a discreet and effective solution to TMD. 

The Dedication You Deserve

It is our goal at Kenneth J. Bagby, D.D.S., P.C. to provide you with the individualized care and attention you deserve. To find out if oral appliance therapy can benefit you, we invite you to contact us online or call us at (406) 252-1078 and schedule your consultation. We would be happy to provide more detailed information and answer any questions you may have about oral appliance therapy during a private consultation.