The act of biting and chewing food is one that can feel reflexive, but for people who have difficulties with TMJ disorder, these basic motions can become a source of discomfort. For some, problems with joint alignment and movement lead to worsening discomfort over time, something that can lead to stiffness and pain as well as problems with headaches, neck and shoulder discomfort, and teeth grinding. At our Katy, TX dentist’s office, we can provide treatment tailored to your needs so that you can put problems with TMJ disorder behind you. As part of your care, we can perform a detailed digital evaluation of your bite movement, which can reveal the imbalances that need to be corrected as part of your treatment.
Is Your Uneven Bite Movement Affecting Your Jaw Health?
When your bite alignment is balanced, you should enjoy even movement with your joints. Problems that affect that balance that leads to uneven motion can cause you to experience difficulties with pain, stiffness, and limited movements. As the issue worsens, you can also have headaches more frequently and deal with pain in surrounding areas like your neck, face, and shoulders. There are different reasons why people start to struggle with this issue. Oral health issues, malocclusion, jaw grinding and clenching, and other problems can lead to this issue. By evaluating your bite movement, we can assess what changes need to be made to make your dental function more uniform and comfortable.
Correcting Problems Identified During A Bite Evaluation
The close evaluation of your bite function can produce information that helps us treat TMJ disorder. Tekscan pressure mapping technology can reveal detailed information regarding your application and release of bite pressure. With that information, we can determine how to best support you in improving your dental function and relieving the pain you have been feeling.
Treatment Can Address Tooth Problems That Affect Your Bite
Because poor jaw health and uneven bite movements can be linked to poor dental health, it may be necessary for you to arrange other dental services to produce results. For patients who have unhealthy or undersized teeth that do not contribute to their bite function, we can use dental crowns to provide better functional support. You can also look at orthodontic treatment to address malocclusion that impacts your bite movement; for people who qualify for Invisalign, we can offer a discreet solution for this problem.
Talk To Your Katy, TX Dentist About Bite Function And TMJ Problems
Through treatment for TMJ disorder, patients can enjoy relief from pain in your face, head, jaw, and neck. If you have issues with discomfort that affect your daily life and suspect your bite function is a cause, reach out to Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849.
