Dental Procedures
> Restorative Dentistry
TMJ Therapy in St. Louis,
MO & Florissant, MO
Do you suffer from morning migraines, a sore neck
and shoulders, or a noisy, popping or, locking jaw? Do you have
broken or cracked teeth? These common temporomandibular joint(TMJ)
dysfunction symptoms affect up to 15 percent of the US population.
If you are in this group, Dr. Quade or Dr. First can evaluate your
situation, explain options, and provide treatment.
TMJ dysfunction (TMD) is the general term for problems
with your jaw joint and bite. As Pankey-trained dentists, Dr. Quade
and Dr. First have extensive training in jaw joint misalignment
and unhealthy occlusion (poor bite relationships). These conditions
cause muscles and nerves to spasm, resulting in jaw clenching or
teeth grinding (called bruxism). Bruxism can lead to excessive tooth
wear, cracked teeth and damaged dental work.
Occlusal splint therapy and slight adjusting of
the teeth may be recommended to get the joints and muscles feeling
better again. As a L.D. Pankey
trained dentist, Dr. Quade and Dr. First are highly educated in
this form of treatment. Many patients have found great relief from
sore jaw muscles and aching TMJ joints from this therapy.
Dr. Quade or Dr. First may prescribe an NTI-tss,
an unobtrusive dental appliance, often referred to as a nightguard,
to treat TMJ dysfunction symptoms. The NTI-tss is a small, specialized
mouthpiece that prevents upper and lower teeth from touching and
causes the muscles to relax. When teeth don’t make contact
with each other, nighttime jaw clenching strength is reduced by
two-thirds, and bruxism is impossible.
To discuss TMJ dysfunction therapy, call
Dr. Quade and Dr. First at our Florissant and St. Charles dentist
offices. For more information on TMJ
dysfunction, bruxism and NTI-tss,
see the articles in our online library.
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