01. How to fix jaw lock immediately

Understanding and Addressing Jaw Lock (Trismus)

Jaw lock, medically termed Trismus, occurs when the jaw joint experiences limited movement, hindering everyday activities like eating, speaking, and oral hygiene. At The Right Bite, we specialize in treating Trismus, ensuring effective and prompt care for this condition. Here's what you should know:

Symptoms and Causes of Trismus

Trismus manifests through increased jaw pain, difficulty opening the mouth, chewing, speaking, and a tight sensation while attempting to open the jaw. This condition arises due to various factors including underlying temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), such as tongue dysfunction, teeth misalignment, and sleep-related teeth grinding (bruxism). If not addressed, these factors can cause wear and tear on the joint, resulting in jaw locking.

Preventing and Managing Jaw Lock

Prevention lies in identifying and addressing the root causes of Trismus. Various factors contribute to Trismus, including impacted molars, jaw injuries, poor oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions. Our approach focuses on determining these causes to initiate proper healing, reducing the occurrence of jaw locking.

Treatment Solutions for Jaw Lock

Seeking professional care is crucial for treating Trismus effectively. Attempting self-treatment or relying on internet-based exercises might worsen the condition. At The Right Bite, our specialized approach involves employing neuromuscular dentistry techniques, aligning with posturology and cranial screenings, among other methods, tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Our treatment primarily involves utilizing neuromuscular dental appliances to realign the jaw, relieving joint compression and restoring cranial structures. This approach facilitates immediate relief for most patients, promoting joint healing and regeneration.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Prevention is key, so we advise seeking professional assistance upon experiencing any discomfort in your TMJ. However, if you're already experiencing jaw lock symptoms, prompt action is essential for effective treatment outcomes.

We prioritize individualized care and effective solutions at The Right Bite. Contact us today to learn more about our specialized treatments for Trismus and discover how our expertise can alleviate your jaw locking concerns, restoring comfort and oral health.

02. Surgical vs Non Surgical Jaw Expansion

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Approaches for Sleep Apnea

The established surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the Maxillo-mandibular advancement surgery (MMA). While effective for severe cases (AHI greater than 50), this procedure, aimed at advancing the jaws, might result in facial changes and is highly invasive. However, it lacks comprehensive 3D expansion, particularly in the upper jaw.

Minimally Invasive Alternatives

Newer minimally invasive procedures, like Maxillary Skeletal Expansion (MSE) appliances, offer both transverse expansion and forward advancement. These devices, when used with a face mask, work effectively, especially for patients under 25 years old, without the need for major surgery. In older patients (25 to 30 years and above), achieving physiological expansion without surgical assistance is challenging due to the hardened maxillary bone. However, surgical assistance using a piezoelectric saw allows minimally invasive osteotomies, preserving soft tissues during the process.

Non-Surgical Expansion Methods

Non-surgical approaches like orthodontic devices such as Quad Helix or Crozat appliances have age limitations and are ineffective in adults. Innovative solutions like DNA and mmRNA appliances facilitate non-invasive expansion by stimulating epigenetic changes in the body, offering 3D bone expansion in adults and airway augmentation without surgery.

Additionally, the ALF (Activated Lightwire Functionals) appliance, suitable for children below 15 years, promotes natural expansion in younger individuals and can address cranial stresses while enhancing craniofacial rhythms.

Orthodontic Expansion in Adults

Traditional orthodontic expansion in adults using braces is limited by available bundle bone for teeth movement. The DNA appliance emerges as an ideal minimally invasive solution, activating the body's epigenetic potential for 3D expansion.

For patients requiring increased nasal airway volume and maxillary expansion, a minimally invasive technique known as MARPE (Mini-implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) through appliances like MSE can split the suture with ease in adults when combined with a piezoelectric saw.

Moreover, combining this procedure with ENT surgery under general anesthesia ensures comprehensive treatment, addressing ENT issues alongside upper jaw expansion.

Nonetheless, understanding and utilizing these innovative appliances properly can lead to airway expansion in most adult patients without the need for surgery, revolutionizing sleep apnea treatment.

03. What are clenching and grinding events - Bruxism Explained