Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions affect around 15 percent of American adults. A TMJ disorder can cause pain or tenderness in the jaw and around the ears, as well as painful popping or clicking in the jaw. You may have a TMJ disorder if you notice chronic facial pain, sandy noises when you open your mouth, headaches, or neck aches. Nobody wants to live with a TMJ disorder! Visit Contemporary Family Dentistry for an accurate diagnosis of TMJ problems and personalized treatment.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE TMJ DISORDER
The jaw consists of two main joints, several muscles, and many ligaments that work closely together to allow you to open and close your mouth, talk, chew, and breathe. The TMJ is the most flexible joint in the entire body. Issues with the TMJ can quickly lead to chronic pain and total jaw dysfunction. A TMJ disorder can interfere with many aspects of your daily life, making it difficult to eat, swallow, sleep, and breathe.
The symptoms of a TMJ disorder can vary, and masquerade as symptoms of many other conditions. For this reason, it can be difficult to diagnose. Visiting your dentist regularly and being aware of the signs of a TMJ problem can help you discover one in its early stages for prompt treatment. Such problems and craniofacial pain syndrome typically come from clenching the teeth and jaw muscles, spasms in the facial musculature, or a crooked bite. Anything that disrupts the normal movement of the jaw can eventually lead to a TMJ disorder.
You may have a TMJ disorder if you notice chronic headaches, neck or facial pain, grinding and popping sounds in the jaw, difficulty opening your mouth, your jaw locking, earaches or congestion, dizziness, or pain when chewing. These are all common symptoms of a TMJ problem. As soon as you notice potential signs of a TMJ disorder, visit your dentist. There are ways to treat and prevent dysfunction related to the issue, as well as to clear the irritating and painful symptoms.
WE CAN REPAIR YOUR TMJ
At Contemporary Family Dentistry, our highly experienced staff knows all about the complex and important temporomandibular joint. We’ve successfully treated dozens of patients with problems pertaining to the disorder. The effectiveness of our methods comes from our personalized approach. During your initial visit, we’ll perform a comprehensive exam of your teeth, gums, and jaw. We may use x-rays to get a clearer image of what’s going on in your mouth. If we believe your symptoms do in fact point to a TMJ disorder, we’ll go over potential treatment options. See more details here.
Our office provides non-surgical, conservative treatments for TMJ disorders. This is the treatment of choice for most people with problems, at least until they decide they do need surgery to repair the jaw. Our team typically recommends a custom-made oral device, such as a clear night guard like the one pictured above. Oral devices such as a splint or orthotic made of clear acrylic can alleviate muscle spasms and prevent damage from bite imbalance. They can also stabilize the TM joints. They are easy to wear and comfortable, fitting over the top or bottom teeth while you sleep.
We can easily create a custom night guard by making a mold of your teeth. Your guard will be completely unique to your mouth, and effectively treat clenching and grinding of the teeth. A night guard can save you thousands of dollars in dental work from damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw from grinding. In conjunction with your custom-made guard, stress management, physical therapy, and certain medications may help relieve problems and prevent further damage to the jaw joints. We may recommend you visit a specialist or other health care provider for additional assistance. Contact Us.