James Olsen, DDS Blog

TMJ disorder is a common condition known to cause a variety of symptoms, including clicking and popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth and lockjaw. Many people associate this condition with adults because it’s often triggered by stress related to teeth grinding and underlying orthodontic issues. However, it’s also common in children. According to a study published in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences in 2014, TMD has a high prevalence in children and teens experiencing emotional stress. Read on to learn the warning signs to look out for in your little one and how to find help.

Millions of Americans suffer from TMJ disorder in one form or another. Despite this, there are still many misconceptions about the condition floating around. It’s important to have all the facts so that you can get the effective TMJ treatment you need as soon as possible. Below are 5 common TMJ myths and the truth behind each one of them.

Modern times have allowed people to conveniently attain many of the things they want—including their dream smile! Invisalign treatment changed the game for those who didn’t want to wear traditional metal braces. With their clear, removable aligners, the process toward straighter teeth is discreet, comfortable, and effective. Yet, it does require that you stick to your treatment plan so your teeth can move into their desired position. Here are three things to avoid with Invisalign to stay on track with your treatment!

Invisalign is an internationally recognized name, and people primarily know it as a more subtle, comfortable, and flexible alternative to metal braces. While most get it to help with problems like crooked, crowded, and gapped teeth, it can also be a viable solution for those dealing with a TMJ disorder. How? Using the same method it does to create beautifully straight smiles, Invisalign is also able to fix the underlying cause of many patients’ chronic jaw and head pain.

Invisalign has surged in popularity in recent years due to the results it’s able to produce. Aligners are discreet and require no major change in diet. For these reasons, it’s a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want it to be obvious they’re having their teeth straightened. If you’re interested, here’s a guide that will let you know what to expect from every step of the Invisalign treatment process.

As you may already know, arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 24% of all adults, or 58.5 million people, are affected by arthritis. Many people think of this common condition as primarily affecting knees, elbows, and wrists. However, arthritis can also affect the joint that connects your jaw to your head. An Ann Arbor dentist breaks down the various ways arthritis is linked to temporomandibular joint disorder below.

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the most complex joints in your whole body—after all, they’re what connect your jaw to your skull and grant you an incredible range of motion with your mouth! However, their complexity is part of why they’re quite susceptible to issues like TMJ disorders. But did you know that women are more likely to face these issues, and that they account for about 90% of all reported cases? Here’s more about why this is, along with some known risk factors associated with TMJ disorders and what can be done to address them.

Invisalign is one of the hottest cosmetic treatments available! The aligners are able to discreetly straighten teeth and provide patients with a beautiful and healthier new smile. That said, if you’re interested in beginning Invisalign treatment in Ann Arbor, you might be unsure about how to find the right dentist for the job. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so that you can find the best Invisalign provider for your smile.

As you’d likely expect, pretty much anyone can benefit from Invisalign treatment. After all, who wouldn’t look and feel better with a newly-straightened smile? However, it turns out some professions can find the results of clear aligners especially appealing. More specifically, having straight teeth can give you a leg up in certain career fields. If you want to know more, your local dentist is here to help. Read on to learn four professions that stand to gain from Invisalign benefits in Ann Arbor.

Ultimately, it’s best to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) with a professional dentist. They will have the knowledge, skills, and tools to fully address the cause of your problem. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t ease some of your condition’s soreness on your own. It turns out there are some home methods for reducing TMJ discomfort. To learn more, here are seven home exercises that can help with TMD pain from your Ann Arbor dentist.