When someone experiences jaw pain, he or she is more likely to simply take a painkiller and believe that the problem is treated. However, jaw pain is not only debilitating but can make simple actions such as speaking and eating difficult. Jaw pain can eventually lead to severe TMJ and an inability to open the mouth fully. We understand these problems and are here to assist you while preventing them from becoming worse. As an orthodontist, this often requires us to move the jaw into a proper alignment.

VISIT AN ORTHODONTIST FOR JAW PAIN TREATMENT

There are several reasons to visit an orthodontic office for help with jaw pain, rather than trying to align it with help from a general dentist. Primarily, it comes down to education. An orthodontist spends a minimum of three additional years studying how to move the teeth and jaw. Orthodontics is a specialty, just as cardiology is a specialty. If someone has a heart attack, then he or she will want to see a cardiologist and not a general practitioner. If someone needs to align or treat a jaw, then he or she will benefit more from seeing an orthodontist and not a general dentist.

When someone is already experiencing moderate jaw pain, anything done to the teeth or jaw can either help to ease the discomfort or make it worse. Orthodontists need to be incredibly careful with the treatments they undergo to ensure that the treatment reduces discomfort. Our additional training and clinic experience as an orthodontist makes us well-equipped to address this challenge and to provide the best possible care.

BENEFITS OF CARE FROM AN ORTHODONTIST

Another benefit of visiting an orthodontist is that we have additional treatment tools and options available. When a dentist seeks to straighten teeth, they typically only have clear aligners at their disposal. We have numerous orthodontic treatment solutions available to us and training on all of them. When examining a patient, we can tell which solutions will be the best choice and which ones may cause harm to the patient. Our recommendations will be made from a place of experience and authority, rather than limited resources.

As an orthodontist, we can perform oral surgery. In some cases, braces are not enough to move a jaw into alignment, so surgery becomes an option. This is not a recommendation we make lightly and it is common for us to attempt less invasive methods first. Still, we do have the surgical option available to us and will use it when it is the most effective option.

We understand that each patient is unique and has his or her own challenges to struggle with. We create individual treatment plans based on examinations and conversations of each patient. When you come in, ask questions and tell us about your symptoms and concerns, then we will find the best solution. Taking our time and answering questions is something we enjoy doing, so schedule your free orthodontic consultation appointment today.