Jaw pain is common in most people from time to time. However, the cause and subsequent treatments may range from medication to surgery. Sometimes, it is not easy to determine whether the distress in your jaw is from an awkward sleeping position or symptomatic of deeper issues.
It is recommendable to visit a dentist whenever you experience jaw pain. While some people expect the problem to self-correct eventually, jaw issues can begin to affect daily activities such as speaking and eating. Besides, they may extend the pain to the neck, shoulders, and back and cause headaches and tinnitus. In short, they end up interfering with your quality of life.
Oral surgeons carry out corrective jaw surgery to realign jaws. Although this surgery requires general anesthesia, it is safe, effective, and corrects various facial and dental defects or deformities. It has the potential to deal with your jaw-related problems once and for all.
How Do I Know I Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Below are three signs indicating that you may need corrective jaw surgery:
1. Problem Chewing, Biting and Speaking
A classic sign of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a painful experience when you chew or bite. The two joints that attach to the skull facilitate the hinging motion of your mouth. When damaged, even the slightest sliding motion in the mouth becomes painful.
Therefore, you experience difficulties when biting, chewing, and speaking. Although pain medication and injection may bring temporal relief, they are not a solution to the problem. Corrective jaw surgery can correct the problem and get rid of a clicking sound, common with severe jaw pain.
After completing the corrective jaw surgery, you return to a normal appearance, feel more comfortable, and comfortably eat various foods in about four weeks. The benefits of the procedure are life-changing and worth your time and effort.
2. Jaw Pain and Restricted Movement
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) acts as a pivot between your skull and jaw. In case of damage, it becomes difficult for it to enable a sufficient range of motion. It also becomes a struggle to chew and bite. If you experience restricted movement, it is probably the right time to consider corrective jaw surgery. The procedure can permanently restore the expected mobility.
If the jaws’ misalignment is visible, it is a clear confirmation and could also mean that your underbite and overbite are becoming worse. In such a situation, you should not hesitate to visit your dentist. While it is possible to correct some jaw issues using orthodontic appliances such as braces, others require corrective jaw surgery.
The practitioner may have to relocate the jaw for a correct alignment or balancing of the mouth movements. Even if the misalignment feels slight, you should not take it lightly. Therefore, schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.
3. Sleep and Breathing Concerns
It is common to hear people talk of sleep apnea and other related sleep disorders nowadays. The health concerns relating to such disorders are indeed threatening. Jaw related issues lead to sleeping problems. Some patients attempt different dental appliance solutions to manage their sleeping problems, but that is not always effective at curing the disorder.
If your child or partner has developed intrusive nighttime snoring, it is an indication that they are not breathing well at night, which could be due to jaw issues. It is recommendable that you consider seeking orthodontic care. Your oral surgeon will know whether to carry out a laser surgery or remove some tissues in your lower jaw or oropharynx.
Take Action Today
At Schwab Orthodontics, we commit to provide you with the most up-to-date, high-quality, and innovative orthodontic care. We diagnose your oral health concerns accurately and suggest a course of treatment that will deliver the best outcomes possible. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
