Frequent undiagnosed headaches?
Jaw pain or difficulty chewing?
Neck and shoulder pain?
These are all common symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), commonly known as TMJ, which stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it’s where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension.
When you visit Smile Viera in Viera, FL, Drs. Roppa and Marshall-Roppa take the time to thoroughly examine all aspects of your occlusal system (teeth, gums, jaw joints and muscles) to look for signs of imbalance or instability that can be the underlying cause of your dental problem. If teeth appear worn, flat or cracked, it is likely that you are grinding your teeth during sleep. In many cases, patients do not know they are grinding their teeth until they visit with us!
Left untreated, bite problems like TMJ often compromise the results of any dentistry you may receive and can even lead to tooth loss.
TMJ Therapy: What To Expect
Dr. Roppa and Dr. Marshall-Roppa offer a range of treatment options to address TMJ, including recommending lifestyle changes to reduce stress that may trigger teeth grinding and jaw clenching- two common signs of a bite problem. The goal is always to reduce the pain and disruption associated with symptoms and to restore healthy balance to the bite for lasting oral health. Depending on your dental health needs, options can include:
Mouth guard or splint therapy: a custom mouth guard or splint is often a conservative first step, used early in treatment and not needed as a long term solution. A dental split can be helpful to help identify a comfortable and stable bite position.
Bite correction: bite correction is designed to bring the teeth into proper contact through restorative dental treatments. This allows the jaw to open and close in its proper position and eliminates stress on the jaw joints.
Orthodontics: in some cases, orthodontia to straighten misaligned teeth is recommended to restore balance to the bite. We offer Invisalign clear braces for discreet and comfortable orthodontic treatment.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are concerned that you may have a bite disorder like TMJ, schedule a consultation at Smile Viera with either Dr. Roppa or Dr. Marshal-Roppa. Call our Viera, FL dentist office at (321) 614-3833 or request an appointment online.