Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If jaw pain is a daily experience for you, it may seem like a normal part of life. However, jaw pain is far from normal and could be a symptom of a condition called TMD, affecting one or both of your TMJs. These are the joints of your lower jaw, known as the Temporomandibular Joints. When misalignment or disease occurs, the TMJ and the surrounding area become inflamed, causing pain and other related symptoms.
- Headaches
- Earaches or tenderness around the ear
- Pain and tenderness in the face or jaw
- Muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth
What Are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
Treatment for TMD starts with a thorough clinical examination. This includes checking your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your visit, we will assess for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the first treatment.
Treatment and Relief
We offer bite splints, which are custom made plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These devices help prevent grinding and clenching, which often cause or worsen TMD. The splint also realigns the jaw, reducing stress on the surrounding muscles and joints.
Alternative Treatment Options
If your symptoms are caused by a misaligned bite or missing teeth, orthodontics or restorative dental work may be recommended. If your bite is putting pressure on the TMJ, reshaping individual teeth may be suggested to evenly distribute bite force.
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. When this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, it is referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).
Signs and symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness around the ear, jaw joint, or jaw muscles. Other symptoms may include difficulty opening or closing your mouth and hearing clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding sounds when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth. TMD may also be linked to neck pain and headaches.
TMD can be caused by several factors, including jaw injuries and joint diseases such as arthritis. Bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and tension in the head or neck muscles can worsen TMD symptoms. Stress is another potential factor, though it is unclear whether stress causes TMD or is a result of it. Poorly fitted partial or full dentures and certain habits, like biting fingernails or pens, can also contribute. The variety of potential causes makes TMD difficult to diagnose, which is why booking an appointment is the best way to understand your symptoms.
Headaches can have many causes. A doctor cannot determine the cause of your headache without a physical examination.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non invasive methods and therapies. Surgery is rarely required for TMD. Your health and well being are our top priority, and we will always present all your options. We work through the safest and least invasive treatments first, and you will have the final decision on how to proceed.
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