Contrary to popular belief, dentists don’t solely focus on teeth—dentists also address issues of the gums and jaw, because these structures are all interconnected. The health and integrity of your jaw can affect your oral health and overall wellness. During your routine exams at our Grand Haven office, we’ll examine your jaw and answer any questions you may have. If you’ve been experiencing issues, we’ll feel and listen to your jaw, observe the range of motion, and identify any areas of discomfort.
If we detect any issues, Dr. Leitner can protect your jaw through the use of effective TMJ therapy for treating TMJ disorders, also known as TMD.
There are two joints on either side of your head where your skull connects with your jaw, right next to your ears. These joints, called the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), allow you to open and close your mouth and move your jaw in multiple directions.
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is characterized by problems that prevent your temporomandibular joints, jaw muscles, and nerves of the surrounding area from working properly. The TMJ area is one of the more complex parts of your body and it can be difficult to determine the causes of malfunction.
During your exam, it’s important to share any symptoms with Dr. Leitner. When issues with your temporomandibular joints occur, it can affect your ability to chew, speak, and swallow. TMD can also lead to the development of chronic pain, which can cause a host of related problems.
At the offices of John Leitner, DDS, we incorporate advanced dental technology in order to provide our patients with a more precise diagnosis so that we can craft the most efficient treatment plan. We use both the T-Scan® bite analysis system and Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) to check for issues related to the TMJ.
The T-Scan® bite analysis system is used for analyzing your bite. This tool will allow us to see if your TMD symptoms are a result of a misaligned bite. The Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) allows us to record and identify the vibrations of your temporomandibular joints.
During your initial exam, we’ll take dental x-rays so we can examine your teeth and jaw. If Dr. Leitner suspects TMD, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. With proper treatment, TMD can be reversed. Depending on the severity of your situation, treatment can last anywhere between 18 months to three years.
When TMD goes untreated the most common consequence is chronic pain. However, there are other risks to leaving TMD untreated which include:
If you can’t open and close your jaw completely or if you have persistent pain in your jaw region, it’s best to schedule an appointment with Dr. Leitner at our Grand Haven office by calling (616) 842-2850 today.