When most people think of a full mouth reconstruction, they think of lots of broken teeth that need a complete repair. It’s usually not something that’s associated with a disorder that affects your jaw joints. However, a full mouth reconstruction is often necessary for patients with severe TMJ disorders due to the damage it caused to their teeth.

If you have TMJ, find out why a full mouth reconstruction might be in your future at StarImage Dental Boutique & Oral Surgery in Southlake, TX.

senior man crossing his arms, smiling

What is TMJ?

To understand why you might need a full mouth reconstruction, it’s helpful to understand the disorder that might cause you to need one first. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint and TMD is temporomandibular joint disorder; although these two acronyms are used interchangeably. The temporomandibular joint is the joint in your jaw that acts as a hinge and allows you to move your jaw open and closed and side to side. When you have a TMJ disorder, there is an imbalance in your jaw joint that can cause inflammation and pain that extends from the jaw joint to the surrounding muscles and tissues.

TMJ Signs and Symptoms

You might not know you have a TMJ disorder until you recognize the signs and symptoms. Knowing what these are will help you identify them if they pop up. Signs and symptoms of TMJ include:

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, please contact our Southlake TMJ dentist for a diagnosis.

Diagnosing TMJ

The next step after recognizing symptoms of TMJ is diagnosing it. During this step, Dr. Green and Dr. Urbanek will determine how much damage has occurred to your teeth as a result of TMJ and whether or not you will require a full mouth reconstruction to restore your teeth back to health. To diagnose TMJ, we use a variety of advanced dental technology known as BioPak to measure your bite, bite force, irregular patterns, and jaw motion. We will also use electromyography to find your jaw’s current relaxation state. Lastly, we will use imaging techniques to get a better look at the inside of your jaw as well as your teeth by taking an MRI, panoramic x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scans.

Based on what we find during your diagnosis will determine your exact treatment plan. Every patient has a treatment customized to their individual condition.

TMJ Treatment

Our first goal is to help your jaw rest in it’s most comfortable and relaxed state. To accomplish this, we will first recommend a variety of home care instructions to help relieve your pain. In the meantime, we will take impressions of your teeth and create a custom oral appliance or bite orthotic. Once this returns from the lab, you will wear it all day for an extended period and then at night.

At this point, we will begin to discuss full mouth reconstruction options. If you would like to restore your damaged teeth or enjoy your relaxed bite without wearing an orthotic, full mouth reconstruction can help.

The Final Step: Full Mouth Reconstruction

Full mouth reconstruction in Southlake is the final stage of your TMJ treatment. Looking back at the images we took, we will create a plan that helps rebuild your entire mouth so that your teeth and bite rest comfortably. Full mouth reconstruction can also repair a collapsed bite.

To complete your full mouth reconstruction, we might use a variety of treatments combined together. This often includes:

Not only will we work to restore the structure of your teeth to stabilize your bite, but it will also help your teeth’s appearance look better than ever before. Full mouth reconstruction will help you live pain-free from TMJ and help your smile look amazing.

Benefits of Full Mouth Reconstruction in Southlake

After your full mouth reconstruction, you will enjoy a variety of amazing benefits. To start, you won’t have to wear an orthotic ever again. Once you stabilize your bite and get full mouth reconstruction, it will help your bite remain in its new position. This means you will also be free from the pain and discomfort caused by TMJ. Additionally, full mouth reconstruction will improve your smile which ultimately will help improve your self-confidence. As you live pain-free and with a new smile, you might feel like you have an entirely new life.

Are you ready to transform your life with a reconstructive dentsitry as part of your TMJ treatment? Contact our Southlake TMJ dentists today to schedule a consultation at (817) 587-4566.