TMJ Treatment in Rutland, MA
Do you notice your jaw popping or clicking when you open or close your mouth? Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Do you experience pain or tenderness when you chew and eat food?
Did you know you could be suffering from a jaw joint (TMJ) disorder, known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?
What Is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?
The terms TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably; however, they do represent different things. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is your jaw joint. Your jaw joint is responsible for all the functions you need for laughing, yawning, talking, chewing, eating, and opening and closing your mouth. It’s one of the most complex joint systems in your body.
TMD refers to the disorder that occurs when your TMJ system is not functioning properly. This can be a painful and debilitating disorder that greatly impacts your quality of life.
At Carewell Dental, Dr. Nair offers solutions for TMD that can help you find relief from discomfort, better chewing function, and improved joint movement and function.
How Do We Treat TMD in Rutland?
Getting to the bottom of what’s causing your TMD is the first step. For every patient, root causes are different. Here are some possibilities of what’s causing your TMJ discomfort:
- Stress
- Tooth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- A misaligned bite
- Joint conditions, like arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Trauma
Once Dr. Nair determines the cause of your TMD, she can recommend the best course of action for treatment.
If bruxism or sleep-disordered breathing is the culprit, we offer specialized sleep apnea and snoring treatment in Rutland using custom oral appliances to protect your teeth and help you breathe freely throughout the night.
If bite misalignment is causing your TMD, she may recommend aligning your teeth with braces or Invisalign® in Rutland, MA.
Contact Carewell Dental
If you’re struggling with TMD, there is relief. Talk with our team at (508) 886-6046 to book an evaluation with Dr. Nair, or request a visit online.
