TMJ Dysfunction and Its Causes
Are you suffering from moderate to severe pain in your temple, ear, neck or shoulder? Does your jaw pop or click when you chew? If so, you could be suffering from TMJ dysfunction.
There’s so single cause for TMJ dysfunction—it’s different for every patient. In some cases, it may be a result of improper bite or stress. In others, your pain could be related to a recent injury. Regardless of the cause, you don’t have to live with your pain—it can be treated. And one way Dr. Johnson and the team at our Houston office is helping patients is with an orthotic appliance known as a splint.
Treating TMJ Dysfunction with a Splint
Using your medical history and detailed information about your jaw as a guide, our Houston office’s lab will create a custom made splint for your teeth. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you might only need to wear your splint at night, while some patients many need to wear one at all times.
The purpose of a splint is to retrain your jaw so that it comes together exactly where it needs to. But it does more than just reprogram your muscles. It also brings relief from painful symptoms like headache, jaw clicking, and teeth grinding, among others.
In many cases, a splint is all that’s needed to help patients treat their TMJ dysfunction, while others may need additional, long-term treatment.
Comfortable Relief For Your Smile
If you have questions about TMJ dysfunction and want to know more about splints, or if you simply want to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Johnson, give our Houston office a call today.