Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Does your jaw feel tight or produce a clicking noise every time you open your mouth? Do you clench your jaws frequently?
Dr. Hugh Flax has been successfully treating bite issues since the early 1990s. As a graduate of the Dawson Academy and Kois Center, he’s trained with nationally recognized experts in bite management and neuromuscular disorders. Whatever’s bothering you about your bite, trust us to approach your smile individually.
We will create a custom treatment plan to address your concerns and correct the imbalances in your bite. We can also provide restorative dental treatments to patients in Sandy Springs, dental office.
What is a TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the joints and muscles that control the movement of your jaw. This condition can lead to a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth, and difficulty chewing or speaking. Furthermore, it can cause chronic headaches or earaches.
You can develop TMJ disorder due to a variety of factors:
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw misalignment
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Injury to the jaw joint
If left untreated, TMJ disorder can greatly impact your quality of life. It can make everyday activities like eating and talking uncomfortable. Fortunately, our experienced team is here to provide relief and personalized treatment options.
How Can You Help My Bite?
We can use bite management treatment to address facial muscle imbalances that are causing pain, aesthetic concerns, or dental health issues, including:
- TMJ disorder
- Crooked teeth
- Tongue thrusting
- Teeth grinding
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
Bite Relaxation Therapy in Atlanta, GA
Bite relaxation therapy is a specialized approach to help alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder and teeth grinding. This therapy focuses on relaxing the muscles in the jaw and face to reduce tension and restore proper alignment. We aim to relieve discomfort and promote healing through gentle jaw exercises, massage, and relaxation techniques.
Bite relaxation therapy can improve your bite and get rid of the pain and discomfort from a misaligned jaw.
Step 1: Examination
Through his understanding of neuromuscular dentistry, Dr. Flax will perform an in-depth exam in our Sandy Springs dental office. He will analyze your bite and evaluate just how your jaw and bite are working together.
Step 2: Treatment Planning
Once the cause of the problem has been pinpointed, we’ll outline the best combination of treatments. This may include relaxation techniques, bite guards, orthodontics, or full-mouth reconstruction.
Step 3: Attentive Follow-up
We’ll monitor results over time, checking in with you to make sure you’re on the right track and that the results are exactly as intended.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Dr. Flax answers your questions about a misaligned bite.
What causes bite stress?
There could be any number of culprits! I commonly work with patients who are dealing with issues like:
- Stress
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching
- Damage caused by a blow or other impact
- Missing teeth
- Tongue thrusting
- Arthritis
- Misaligned bite
- Diet
- Sleep-disordered breathing
How can I relax my bite?
Stress is a leading cause of a tense jaw. If that’s the case, some lifestyle changes can be beneficial, including:
- Maintaining good posture
- Getting enough sleep at night
- Reducing stress
- Trying jaw exercises
- Avoiding caffeine
- Avoiding medications that increase clenching and grinding
What’s the best way to fix my bite alignment?
We may recommend any number of treatments, depending on your specific diagnosis, including:
- Recontouring the biting surfaces of your teeth
- Repairing broken teeth
- Filling cavities or replacing old, worn-out fillings
- Extracting and replacing severely damaged teeth
- Orthodontic treatment
- Oral splint