If you come to us with TMJ disorder (TMD) then we are going to suggest TMD treatment right away. You might wonder why we suggest you act with urgency. You may even decide that you can probably wait a while. To help you understand with more clarity why we suggest treatment as soon as possible, we are glad to provide you with helpful answers to some very common questions. Remember: Our goal is always to protect your oral health and to help you avoid damage.
Questions and Answers
Question: Why bother treating TMJ disorder? To be honest, I don’t really feel much discomfort from it.
Answer: It is true that you might not feel much discomfort at the moment. However, that does not mean you should avoid treatment. Instead, it means that now is the perfect time: Before damage occurs (and it will eventually occur).
Question: I’ve heard that TMJ disorder can lead to additional issues like bruxism. I’ve also heard that bruxism can lead to TMD. Is this true?
Answer: This is true. Bruxism can lead to the disorder of your jaw joints and TMD can aggravate bruxism. As a result, it is very important to treat either (or both) to protect you from significant functional problems in the future.
Question: My main reason for feeling hesitant about TMJ disorder treatment is the fact that I don’t want to take any pills or deal with anything invasive. Are these legitimate concerns?
Answer: Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about any of these factors. Treatment will just mean that you are going to wear an appliance that is very similar to a mouth guard. You’ll wear it while you sleep. It’s drug-free and is not invasive.
