When our bites have poor function and balance, which means they don’t fit together properly, this could lead to serious complications down the road. However, your Des Moines, IA, dentist knows how to help you avoid the pain and complications of issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). In today’s blog, learn how we help restore balance with an oral appliance.
The Impact of Bite Imbalance
When we have an uneven bite, this means that our upper and lower sets of teeth don’t fit together properly. This imbalance could place inordinate pressure on the joints connecting your skull and jaw, leading to a disorder known as TMJ disorder, or TMD. With TMD, you could eventually have trouble fully opening and closing the mouth. You could also develop bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding/clenching. Over time, this disorder could actually weaken and damage teeth, leading to major oral health complications and continued discomfort!
Warning Signs of TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
People with TMD tend to report headaches and migraines, pain in the face or jaw, aches in the neck or shoulders, and a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw. Chronic bruxism wears down enamel, the teeth could begin to appear short, and the resulting damage could expose inner structure to bacteria, allowing cavities and infection to develop. You may experience tooth sensitivity, toothaches, pain in the face and jaw, and regular headaches and migraines. If you frequently experience one or more of the symptoms we’ve discussed, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy relief, and a healthier smile!
Creating a Custom Oral Appliance
We often correct these issues with an oral appliance, which helps us reposition the jaw to ease strain and restore balance. The device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn a you sleep. We create it based on detailed impressions and measurements we take of your smile. The device repositions the jaw to prevent TMD-symptoms, and also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage should you grind or clench your teeth. If you have damaged your teeth, we have custom crowns, dental bonding, and other options to return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty. If you have any questions about treating an imbalanced bite, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Headaches or Jaw Pain?
We want to help you and your family avoid the discomfort related to an uneven bite. We have a custom-made oral splint, and a number of restorative solutions as well. To learn more about how we help keep your bite functional and comfortable, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Burds by calling Gateway Dental Group in downtown Des Moines, IA, at (515) 244-9565.