How Your Airways Impact TMJ By Dr Mike Morris
As a bioesthetic dentist in Burlington, I’ve seen firsthand how overlooked airway issues can contribute to TMJ dysfunction. At Chittenden Dental, we take a comprehensive approach to oral health and that includes understanding how your airway health impacts your bite, jaw joints, and overall function.
What is Bioesthetic Dentistry?
Bioesthetic dentistry goes beyond fixing teeth. It focuses on restoring the natural form and function of your entire chewing system, including your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), muscles, and airway. My goal as a bioesthetic dentist is to help patients not only achieve a beautiful smile but also a healthy and functional one that lasts a lifetime.
When something is off whether it’s tooth wear, chronic headaches, or bite misalignment it often points back to a deeper issue. One of the most overlooked contributors? Your airway.
The Airway and TMJ Connection
Many people don’t realize that their breathing patterns, especially during sleep, can directly impact their jaw joint health. Restricted airways can lead to forward head posture and clenching or grinding of the teeth at night as your body struggles to keep the airway open. This strain often leads to TMJ dysfunction, also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
In my Burlington bioesthetic dentistry practice, I evaluate how your airway contributes to your jaw health. A narrow or collapsed airway may be behind that popping or clicking you hear when you chew or even behind chronic facial pain or migraines.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore with TMJ
If you’re experiencing jaw pain, stiffness, chronic headaches, or a bite that just doesn’t feel right, it may not be “just stress” or “normal aging.” These could be symptoms of TMJ dysfunction caused by airway issues. Even disrupted sleep, snoring, or waking up tired could point to underlying airway restriction.
Bioesthetic dentistry helps identify these connections early and address the root cause not just the symptoms.
A Path Towards TMJ Relief
At Chittenden Dental, I use advanced diagnostics to examine your airway, jaw joints, and bite relationship. Together, we can create a personalized plan to relieve your symptoms and restore proper function. Often, this involves custom orthotics, restorative treatments, or airway-focused therapies to help you breathe and live better.
If you’re searching for a Burlington bioesthetic dentistry solution that considers your whole health, I’m here to help. Let’s look beyond the surface and uncover how your airways might be affecting your TMJ and your quality of life.
Call my Burlington bioesthetic dentist’s office and let’s set up an appointment. Relief is just around the corner. Call today.
