If you’re noticing that your teeth aren’t lining up correctly or the way they used to, this could be a sign that you’re suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. This is a term used to describe any condition affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or causing it to become inflamed.
The temporomandibular joint is the hinge of the jaw that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. When this joint becomes inflamed or damaged in any way, it can cause pain, headaches, or clicking or popping noises when moving the jaw. Odds are that if you’re experiencing TMD in one side of the joint, it’ll likely be occurring on the other side at the same time.
Shifting Teeth & TMJ
The reason why your teeth may not line up correctly anymore is that the ball and socket joints of the TMJ are no longer in alignment. As a result, they may become inflamed, causing even more shifting to occur. In order to fix this problem, a lower jaw splint may be used.
Additionally, the wisdom teeth can also contribute to the shifting of teeth. If the emergence of the wisdom teeth coincides with TMD, we may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed. This may be enough to correct the problem on its own, but if not, a dental splint may still need to be used.
TMD is painful and can cause disruption to your daily life. To learn if you have TMD, please contact your general dentist for a checkup. For information about dental implants or any concerns regarding your periodontal health, please call Littleton Implants & Periodontics today. Our office is located here in Littleton, Colorado.