Tmj Bruxism Treatment - Centre Family Dentistry

1001 Centre Avenue, Unit A, Fort Collins, CO 80526

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TMJ AND BRUXISM TREATMENT

Say Goodbye to Jaw Pain and Headaches

Do you have pain in your TMJ that disrupts your life? TMJ treatment at our Fort Collins dental office is the solution you need!

Do You Grind Your Teeth or Have Pain in Your Jaw?

TMJ and Bruxism Treatment in Fort Collins, CO

Do you endure daily pain in your jaw, head, neck, or all three? These uncomfortable symptoms indicate that you may have a problem with your TMJ or temporomandibular joint.

Pain in your TMJ or surrounding areas is a significant problem that can affect just about everything you do. Simple everyday actions like chewing and speaking that you always took for granted are now a source of pain and discomfort.

Fortunately, Dr. Jordan Humbert offers a simple, non-surgical TMJ treatment at our Fort Collins dental office that can get you out of pain and relieve your symptoms.

Why Do I Have TMJ Pain?

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hinges your lower jaw to your upper jaw and controls it’s up and down and side to side movement. If you have a problem with this joint or it’s not functioning correctly, we call it TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder.

Some symptoms that you have TMD are:

Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Broken, fractured, or worn-down teeth
Headaches, including migraines
Pain in and around your jaw area
Clicking or popping sounds in your jaw
A change in your dental bite or tooth alignment
Jaw locked open or closed
Stuffiness or ringing in your ears

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, call our Fort Collins dental office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Humbert, so we can provide the relief you so desperately need.

How Are Teeth Grinding and TMD Related?

A common problem associated with TMJ is teeth grinding or bruxism either while you’re awake or during sleep.

Although the exact link is unclear, teeth grinding may play a part in TMJ problems or TMD. Estimates say that teeth grinding affects up to 20 percent of adults, and of those, as many as 20 percent also have TMD symptoms.

Teeth grinding occurs both when you’re awake and when you’re asleep. Awake bruxism is usually associated with stress or anxiety. However, teeth grinding most often happens when you’re at rest and is common among those with sleep disorders like sleep apnea.

What Treatment Do You Offer for TMJ Pain?

Considering the disruption that teeth grinding and TMJ pain creates in your life, treatment may be relatively simple. We have helped many patients find relief from TMJ pain at our Fort Collins dental office using a customized oral appliance.

Referred to as a nightguard or occlusal splint, it fits over your upper teeth like a mouthguard. It is customized for you using impressions of your teeth and prevents your upper and lower jaw from coming into contact while you sleep, even when you grind or clench your teeth. This relieves the stress and tension on your jaw joint and allows it to rest and recover.

Don’t Live with TMJ Pain—We Can Help You!

You don’t have to suffer from the debilitating symptoms of TMJ and teeth grinding, and the solution may be easier than you think. Please call Centre Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment for TMJ pain relief at our Fort Collins, CO dental office.

MEET OUR DOCTOR:

Dr. Jordan Humbert DDS

Dr. Jordan Humbert graduated from one of the Nation’s best dental schools, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (Go Buckeyes!!) Dr. Humbert spent much of his time during dental school in outreach settings and ...

Dr. Joe Horst DDS

Dr. Joe Horst received his dental training at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Throughout his training in Minnesota he was an active participant in the school’s student chapter of the Academy of ...

Reclaim Your Life and Comfort with TMJ Treatment

The staff is always very friendly and makes you feel comfortable

The staff is always very friendly and makes you feel comfortable. Dr. Humbert is extremely knowledgeable and has perfected craft. He is also very personable which not the norm for dentists. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

- Brian B.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there permanent treatment for bruxism?

Because the root cause of bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) is different and ever-changing for each patient, it is hard to claim to have permanent treatment for it. Our dentists do, however, offer excellent solutions for dealing with clenching and grinding and the damage it can cause to your jaw joint (TMJ).

We’re also prepared to make adjustments and work with you if you encounter changes to your dental health over time that impact your TMJ health.

How Bruxism Impacts TMJ Health

The act of clenching and grinding your teeth typically occurs at night, and many people aren’t aware that it’s happening. However, severe cases may result in jaw joint pain or tenderness, pain when biting or chewing, your jaw locking open or closed, and even frequent headaches.

Bruxism can also cause excessive wear to your teeth, resulting in your jaw compensating so you can chew properly. This can cause pain and discomfort over time.

Treating Bruxism

One of the ways our dentists treat bruxism is with a custom oral appliance or night guard. Your mouth guard is comfortable to wear, fits over your teeth like a retainer, and protects your teeth at night while you sleep.

If you suffer from bruxism or have questions about TMJ treatment in Fort Collins, contact Centre Family Dentistry at (970) 407-1001.

What is TMJ?

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, most often called TMJ, is an issue that occurs in the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. This joint acts as a hinge for opening and closing the mouth and is critical to the correct function of the mouth for activities like eating and speaking.

While it is not exactly known what causes TMJ, we know that hard hits to the jaw, teeth grinding and clenching, and arthritis in the temporomandibular joint can all contribute to its formation.

The symptoms associated with TMJ include:

Pain in the joint and difficulty chewing
Headache, neck, and shoulder pain
Bulky or muscular appearance in the joint area
Tightness and stiffness make the jaw harder to open and close
Clicking sound in the joint when yawning

How Can A Dentist Help with TMJ?

Your local Fort Collins, CO dentist, can help! A Dentist can diagnose a patient with TMJ and provide several options for treatment.

If your TMJ is caused by clenching or grinding, your dentist may recommend a dental appliance to help protect your teeth and jaw while you sleep.

The dentist may also prescribe anti-inflammatories or pain killers to help combat the TMJ. In some rare cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve a patient’s TMJ symptoms.

Expert Dental Care

If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, contact Centre Family Dentistry today to schedule an exam.

FEATURED BLOG POSTS - TMJ AND BRUXISM TREATMENT

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

Understanding Bruxism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Have you ever awakened with a sore jaw and wondered why? If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, whether you’re awake or not, you may suffer from a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can affect people of any age and shouldn’t be ignored. So, whether you think you have bruxism or not, you should know the

causes, symptoms, and treatment options available from your Fort Collins dentist. What Causes Bruxism? Several different factors can cause bruxism, including the following: Physical If your teeth are not properly aligned, you may be prone to involuntary grinding. Physiological If you have Huntington’s or Parkinson’s disease, bruxism could be a complication of your disease. Psychological If you have anxiety or …

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

TMJ Treatment in Fort Collins, CO

ear and neck aches. If left untreated, symptoms can escalate and even make opening your mouth too difficult or painful. Your dentist in Fort Collins provides TMJ treatment to alleviate these symptoms so you can sleep better at night and wakeup without the pain. TMJ Causes TMJ can result from a misaligned jaw, injury, bruxism (grinding and clenching your teeth), and more. In …

TMJ TREATMENT IN FORT COLLINS, CO

October 16, 2023

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMD) refers to abnormalities of the TMJ joint. This is a moving joint that allows for chewing and speaking. It also connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint doesn’t function properly, it can mean a clicking sound when chewing, headaches, jaw pain, swelling, shoulder, ear and neck aches. If left untreated, symptoms can escalate and even make opening your mouth too difficult or painful. Your dentist in Fort Collins provides TMJ treatment to alleviate these symptoms so you can sleep better at night and wakeup without the pain. TMJ Causes TMJ can result from a misaligned jaw, injury, bruxism (grinding and clenching your teeth), and more. In …