TMJ Therapy & Nightguards
Helping Patients Smile with Ultimate Comfort
Problems like teeth grinding and jaw dysfunction can get in the way of
normal activities that should be enjoyable like eating or speaking. If
you’re dealing with one of these issues, Dr. James. R. Cole is ready
to help you smile with health and happiness once more. He offers TMJ therapy
in the form of oral appliances as well as custom nightguards for amazing
sleep and effective treatment. Keep reading to learn more about these
options and how you can benefit from them.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joints, which are a group of muscles that
connect your jaw to your face. When your jaw joints are stressed, strained,
or injured, you may experience TMJ disorder. This can make it hard to eat,
speak, laugh, and yawn. TMJ itself can be caused by teeth grinding, but jaw
misalignment, injury, and arthritis may also lead to this disorder.
It’s important to get treatment as soon as you recognize this problem,
so be on the lookout for these common symptoms:
- A stiff or painful jaw
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- A jaw that gets stuck open or closed
- Pain in the neck and shoulders
Our TMJ Therapy
Dr. Cole can treat TMJ disorder with personalized oral appliances. These are
mouthpieces that are worn to bed, which help shift the jaw into a healthy,
more natural position. This enables your jaw joint muscles to heal over time
and it helps you enjoy more restful nights. Plus, it will relive you of the
painful symptoms that TMJ disorder can cause.
Dangers of Bruxism
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, can also affect your jaw, eventually
causing extreme soreness, pain, and dysfunction if left untreated.
Additionally, bruxism wears down the enamel leaving your teeth weaker and
more sensitive. Cracking can occur, and you may experience pain when eating
and drinking hot or cold items. One of the worst parts about this issue is
that it occurs during sleep so many patients affected don’t know they
have it. That’s why you should be on the lookout for warning signs
like:
- Jaw soreness
- Sensitive teeth
- Waking up with headaches
- Facial pain
- Lack of sleep
Treatment for Bruxism
Thankfully, the risks of bruxism can be treated with a custom-made nightguard. Dr. Cole will take images and impressions of your teeth, which are used to create your oral appliance. This fits snugly around the top teeth, and it protects your smile from grinding and the symptoms that come with it. Additionally, it lowers the stress and pressure you may put on your jaw joints during sleep.
Are you ready to keep your jaw and teeth healthy while you rest? Don’t hesitate to call our office to set up a consultation with Dr. Cole.