Gouverneur, NY dentist Dr. Nicholas Gardner has extensive training and experience diagnosing and treating complex dental problems and occlusal disease. For many patients, the first sign that something is wrong is jaw pain, or an “uneven bite” that feels uncomfortable when speaking or chewing. Jaw pain may be accompanied by other common symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD:
- Frequent headaches, especially in the morning
- Ear pain or fullness
- Clicking or popping jaw
- Worn or damaged teeth
There are a variety of reasons for jaw pain and Dr. Gardner will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause before recommending a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and concerns. Treatment can range from the use of a mouth guard or splint to jaw surgery to address damage and restore alignment of the jaw.
Jaw Pain: Treatment Options
Although posture, stress and other factors can lead to jaw pain, in many cases there is an underlying bite disorder, commonly known as TMJ. An imbalance in the alignment of the bite, TMJ can lead to teeth grinding, jaw clenching and damaged teeth over time- even tooth loss. Effective TMJ therapy will reduce uncomfortable symptoms, restore balance to the bite and provide a comfortable smile.
Dr. Gardner may recommend any of the following treatments to restore your oral health:
- Mouth guard/splint therapy: a conservative approach, custom fit mouth guard or dental splint will prevent teeth grinding and align the teeth for a comfortable bite.
- Bite equilibration: adjusting the fit of the bite by reshaping and/or removing tooth structure with restorative or cosmetic dentistry.
- Orthodontics: Dr. Gardner may recommend the use of orthodontics for misaligned teeth that are affecting the bite.
Schedule A Consultation
If you have been experiencing jaw pain, discomfort or any of the symptoms mentioned above, call our Gouverneur, NY dentist office or go online and schedule a visit with Dr. Gardner. Prompt and effective treatment will restore oral health, and a comfortable smile.