The pain associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMJ) is great and can encompass several symptoms, from migraine headaches to severe neck and shoulder pain. Many TMJ sufferers would like to have cosmetic procedures done to replace missing teeth, but wonder about doing so while suffering with TMJ. If you are tired of the pain you feel every day from TMJ and not being able to smile because of missing teeth, check out these tips for helping you get back your smile.

Treating TMJ First Is Important Because Of Bruxism

One of the most common issues many TMJ sufferers deal with is a condition called bruxism, a fancy word for grinding your teeth, especially while you are sleeping. Tooth grinding would be detrimental to cosmetic dental work like implants used to replace missing teeth. Discussing your TMJ symptoms with your dentist is important. He or she may refer you to a specialist like a maxillofacial surgeon for treating your TMJ before placing implants in your jawbone for the replacement of missing teeth.

Other TMJ Symptoms That Can Delay Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Other symptoms you may be experiencing that stem from TMJ can also be obstacles for your cosmetic dentist. Some symptoms can be the direct cause of your pain while others are side effects from the jawbone being impacted. The following are some of the symptoms in addition to bruxism that can be the reason you must have TMJ treatment before having missing teeth replaced with implants and other types of cosmetic procedures:

• Jaw limitation: If TMJ causes you to have trouble opening your mouth wide, your cosmetic dentist may have a lot of trouble trying to get to your jawbone for placing implants. Until you are able to open your mouth easily and without pain or forceful action, you will need to wait until you have undergone successful TMJ treatment before having dental implants placed in your jawbone for replacing missing teeth.
• Jaw shifting to one side when opened: If your jaw is shifting because one of its joints is experiencing TMJ dysfunction, your cosmetic dentist will not place implants or do any other types of cosmetic procedures. When you do have implants put in, for example, your dentist will make sure your bite is aligning properly after they are put in. If your jaw is shifting, he or she would have no way of knowing for sure if your bite is proper or not; your bite needs to be properly aligned for talking and eating correctly.

Your jawbone plays a huge role in your smile, especially when it comes to dental implants. If you suffer from TMJ, seeking treatment for it is the first step to you being able to have implants or other cosmetic dental procedures for getting back your smile. For more information on cosmetic dentistry, check out websites like http://accentdentalnwi.com/.