If you experience pain in your neck and jaw area, a clicking or popping noise when you open or close your mouth, or a limited range of motion in your jaw, you might be dealing with a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Disorders of the TMJ are thought to affect upward of 10 million people in the United States, alone.
Since TMJ disorders result from a variety of causes, they may take a number of different forms and require different treatments. To diagnose TMJ disorder, Dr. Sommers will discuss your history of jaw pain and utilize a variety of oral examinations.
Oral Appliances for TMJ Treatment
In many cases, TMJ treatment can be as simple as reducing the stress placed on the joint. To allow your jaw to relax and prevent clenching, Dr. Sommers can custom fit you with an oral appliance. These are specially molded to fit your mouth using 3D imaging technology. The appliance is worn at night while you’re asleep and allows your jaw muscles to relax. This relieves the stress placed on the temporomandibular joint, reducing pain over time.
There are many styles of oral appliances available for TMJ treatment, each of which is designed for specific functions. Dr. Sommers can determine which device is best for you and custom mold it to fit your mouth. If you have any questions about TMJ or wish to schedule an appointment, please call our office today.
