Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If jaw pain is a regular part of your life, it might feel normal, but it’s actually a sign of a condition called TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), affecting one or both of your TMJs (TemporoMandibular Joints). Misalignment or disease can cause inflammation, leading to pain and other symptoms.
What Are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
- Headaches
- Earaches and tenderness around the ear
- Face or jaw pain and tenderness
- Muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
Treating TMD starts with a comprehensive exam to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. We’ll assess for pain, tenderness, and listen for clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If diagnosed, we may recommend a bite splint or night guard as the first treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Treatment often involves custom-made bite splints, designed to fit over your upper or lower teeth. These devices help prevent grinding and clenching, which can worsen TMD, while also realigning the jaw to reduce stress on surrounding areas.
Alternative Treatment Options
If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are contributing to TMD, we may suggest braces or restorative dental work. In some cases, reshaping individual teeth may help redistribute bite force evenly, alleviating pressure on the TMJs.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, and TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) occurs when this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed.
While not all cases of TMD can be prevented, you can reduce your risk by managing stress, avoiding habits like teeth grinding and nail-biting, and wearing a nightguard if you clench your teeth while sleeping. Regular dental checkups can also help catch early signs of TMD.
TMD can be caused by various factors, including jaw injuries, arthritis, tooth clenching or grinding (bruxism), muscle tension, stress, and poorly fitting dentures. Certain habits, like nail-biting, may also contribute. Because of the many possible causes, TMD can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to understand your symptoms is to book an appointment.
Headaches can have many causes. A physical examination by a doctor is necessary to determine if TMD is contributing to your headaches.
Most TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non-invasive methods. Surgery is very rare and is only considered in extreme cases. We’ll explore safe and effective options first, giving you the final say in your treatment plan.
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