Bite Alignment as Part of Your TMJ Treatment Plan

Recognize TMJ symptoms early.

Aligning Your Bite to Treat TMJ Symptoms

Bite alignment may be a necessary part of your TMJ treatment plan. If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, such as frequent headaches, jaw pain, or neck aches, or have developed a teeth grinding habit (bruxism), Dr. John Savukinas may need to assess your bite to ensure optimal functioning of the jaw. We can also discuss TMJ treatment options during your consultation.

Learn more about TMJ symptoms and TMJ treatment options by scheduling your appointment with Dr. Savukinas in Rockville, MD today.

Misalignment and Bruxism Symptoms

If your jaw is not functioning properly, you may be putting more pressure and stress on certain teeth or habitually engaging in teeth grinding, which can cause the teeth to wear down or even crack over time. Many patients who are good candidates for TMJ treatment do not realize that they may need a bite adjustment (occlusal adjustment) in conjunction with other treatments to restore jaw health. Symptoms of misalignment of the jaw and bruxism include:

Tooth and Facial Pain

Neck Aches

Gum Recession

TMJ Disorder

Chronic Headaches or Migraines

Damaged or Fractured Teeth

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Restoring Proper Function

Dr. Savukinas may need to fix your bite as part of your TMJ treatment plan. If you have adopted a habit of teeth grinding or have difficulty chewing food properly because of a misaligned bite, you will experience some significant changes in your day-to-day life after your bite has been adjusted.

Performing a Bite Alignment

We may use a thin piece of Mylar paper to “map” your bite. When you bite down on this piece of paper, the areas where your teeth come together turn a different color, which helps us determine where your bite may be off. We can then smooth these areas by removing some of the tooth structure or performing a tooth restoration to create an even bite.

Dr. Savukinas may recommend the following for restoring proper bite function:

Crowns

Bridges

Dental Veneers

Dental Implants

Reshaping of the Teeth

What You Need To Know About TMJ

If you think you might have TMJ it's important to learn what you can do to help prevent and treat it. Complete the form below to download your FREE copy of our What You Need To Know About TMJ article.