Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is the name given to a number of disorders that can affect the proper alignment of your jaw. Jaw misalignment can be caused by several factors including trauma, arthritis, disc disintegration, and malocclusion. In the case of malocclusion, braces or another orthodontic treatment may help correct TMD, but this is not always the case.
Braces are designed to bring your teeth back into proper alignment. If your TMD is caused or aggravated by a misaligned bite, braces may work to relieve the symptoms of TMD and bring your jaw back into alignment. In many instances, braces are not sufficient to correct TMD, and may be an unnecessarily intrusive treatment option.
Treating TMD
At our North Virginia office, Dr. Michael Chung offers several treatment options for TMD. Some of these options include:
- Full mouth restoration to reshape your teeth and correct bite issues
- Customized mouthguards to be worn at night and gently realign your jaw
- Physical therapy and exercises that can relax jaw muscles and bring your jaw back into alignment
When you come to our office, Dr. Chung will work with you on an individual basis to help determine what TMD treatment will best meet your needs.
If you live in or around Washington, D.C., or Northern Virginia and are suffering from TMD, please contact neuromuscular dentist Dr. Michael Chung at Softouch Dental Care to schedule an evaluation today.
