Belle Meade Family Dentistry Relieves Jaw Pain for Those Affected by Bruxism and TMJ Disorder in Nashville, TN


Drs. James Pace Jr., James Pace Sr., and Temp Sullivan, Dentists in Nashville, TN

Belle Meade Family Dentistry Treat Bruxism and TMJ Disorder in Nashville, TN

The doctors work closely with the patient to create a unique night guard that is designed specifically for each patient’s mouth to improve comfort while being worn.

Belle Meade Family Dentistry helps patients ease jaw pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, in Nashville, TN by offering customized treatment solutions. Jaw pain and related discomfort of the mouth or face is often caused by bruxism (teeth grinding) or TMJ disorder. The experienced dentists at Belle Meade Family Dentistry offer patients suffering from these conditions night guards to prevent bruxism and dental work to adjust malocclusion for TMJ disorder.

The most common causes of jaw pain typically stem from TMJ disorder or bruxism. When the muscle that connects the jaw to the skull becomes damaged, overworked or inflamed, stiffness and soreness often develop. This muscle and area of the face is the temporomandibular joint and is responsible for the jaw function. Patients with TMJ disorder can experience sharp pain, soreness of the jaw and even lockjaw, which can severely impact their lifestyle. Bruxism is when teeth grind together during stress or while patients sleep. Over time, this grinding can cause teeth to chip, crack and become worn down, as well as lead to soreness of the face.

At Belle Meade Family Dentistry, Drs. James Pace Sr., Temp Sullivan and James Pace Jr. offer leading treatment solutions for those with TMJ disorder and bruxism. One of the most common and minimally invasive solutions for TMJ disorder and bruxism is a custom fit night guard. Night guards are worn at night while the patient sleeps and cover the teeth. When grinding or clenching occurs, the night guard protects the teeth from damage. The doctors work closely with the patient to create a unique night guard that is designed specifically for each patient’s mouth to improve comfort while being worn. With the night guard, patients often experience an alleviation of their bruxism or TMJ disorder symptoms.

For patients that experience severe jaw pain that is unrelated to bruxism, jaw alignment treatments are available to prevent malocclusion, or a misaligned bite. With specialized dental work, Drs. Pace, Sullivan and Pace can realign the jaw to improve the bite and relieve pressure on the jaw joints. When teeth come together properly, the jaw has less adjustments to make. In some cases, this treatment involves gently filing down teeth that connect at improper positions, while other cases may require orthodontics to realign the bite to proper position. Depending on a patient’s condition, the practice offers Invisalign® and traditional braces for tooth alignment.

Patients who suffer from jaw pain or who have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder or bruxism in Nashville, TN are encouraged to contact Belle Meade Family Dentistry to treat their symptoms. Appointments can be made by visiting http://www.bellemeadedental.com or calling 615-298-2030.

About the Dentists

Belle Meade Family Dentistry serves the Nashville, TN area with full-service family dentistry, for 35 years running. Dr. James Pace Sr. has served as a Chairman of the Nashville Dental Society and as a delegate to the Tennessee Dental Association. He was a 2015 Patient’s Choice Award Winner, has consistently received recognition by the Tennessee Dental Association for his hours of continuing education, and has led and participated in multiple dental and medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Dr. Temp Sullivan earned his fellow in laser dentistry at World Clinical Laser Institute and serves as a delegate for the Tennessee Dental Association and as a member of the Peer Review committee for TennCare. Dr. James Pace Jr. received the 2011 Tennessee Dental Association’s Ace Award. The team at Belle Meade Family Dentistry strives to provide the finest quality dental care for patients in a warm, caring, and clean environment. They execute the most advanced dental care with every service, including teeth-in-a-day dental implants, Invisalign®, the Pinhole® Surgical Technique and laser dentistry. To learn more about the dentists at Belle Meade Family Dentistry and the services they offer visit http://www.bellemeadedental.com or call 615-298-2030.

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