A misaligned bite and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems can result in pain as well as destruction of teeth and supporting structures. When your teeth don’t fit together properly and/or your TMJ doesn’t function smoothly, pain and pressure can result. A long list of TMJ symptoms includes: unexplained head, neck, jaw or shoulder pain, migraine headaches, tooth wear, grinding, and chronic earaches. Dr. Murray assesses these problems in her comprehensive exam.
A personalized treatment plan can include:
- appliance therapy to stop further tooth destruction and provide a proper bite allowing the muscles and jaw to relax
- balancing the bite by minor polishing and tooth reshaping to provide a stable, balanced bite
- orthodontically moving teeth to correct the position of teeth
- restoring teeth to provide stable, equalibrated function