Colorado dental offices are now taking a more proactive approach to their patients by offering TMJ specialists. These specialized practitioners can help to improve the quality of life for the millions of people in the United States who suffer from pain, dysfunction, and discomfort due to the jaw joint. Many people suffer from these symptoms daily but do not get the treatment they need because the symptoms go unnoticed and because the treatments they need are not covered by insurance or state programs.
A common problem for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is misalignment, where the bones at this joint move out of place due to abnormal wear or muscle imbalance. While pain caused by misalignment may go away on its own, a TMJ specialist can often provide relief through some form of therapy. Some of the therapies that may be used include orthodontic adjustments, procedures such as bite alignment tests and even electro-stimulation.
In some cases, when the jaw is out of place and you have trouble chewing, your teeth may get stuck in your mouth and cause pain and discomfort. This is called “fit interference” and happens because the teeth that you use to chew food don’t match the position of your jaw. If this happens, you may get a tray made specifically for this purpose, so that your site can be aligned properly.
Treatment also includes correcting the problem by doing things like removing worn teeth and aligning the jaw properly. In some cases, your mouth may be closed when you have a dental problem, but this does not mean that it doesn’t affect you. Even with a closed mouth, a TMJ specialist can often diagnose the problem and help to solve it.
Sometimes, if your mouth remains open during a TMJ problem, it is due to a common infection, which can cause the mouth to be closed for days at a time. This makes it hard to be treated for TMJ pain. The most common type of infection that is commonly found in people with TMJ pain is the sinus infection, which is most common in people over the age of 60.
Another type of infection that can affect the patient is the influenza type, which can cause many forms of pain. This type of pain, which can be quite severe, is a result of the immune system attacking itself. People who get this kind of pain may get a doctor’s diagnosis for systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is a long-term autoimmune disease that can also cause flu-like symptoms. Many times, it is not known at first because of the lack of symptoms.
People who suffer from this disease, called systemic Lupus, may get some form of pain or discomfort, which may include a fever, swollen lymph nodes, tissue damage, and even arthritis. This can sometimes lead to more serious problems and complications if it is not treated properly. These include kidney disease, brain damage, inflammation, and even heart disease.
It is important to find out if your condition is being treated correctly before seeking more complex or more complicated treatments. An office with a TMJ Specialist Colorado can help to provide patients with more treatments that can help to address many different types of pain that can come with this condition.
