Jaw Pain is Not Normal
If jaw pain is a regular part of your life, it may seem normal, but it’s far from it. Jaw pain can be a sign of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) affecting one or both of your TMJs (Temporomandibular Joints). When these joints or surrounding areas become misaligned or inflamed, it leads to pain and other symptoms.
What are the signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
- Headaches
- Earaches or 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 your mouth
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
Treatment for TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical examination, where we assess your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. We check for pain, tenderness, and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If TMD is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as an initial treatment.
Treatment and Relief
We provide bite splints, custom plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These devices help prevent grinding and clenching, which can worsen TMD, while also realigning the jaw to reduce stress on the surrounding area.
Alternative Treatment Options
If your symptoms are caused by a misaligned bite or missing teeth, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. In cases where the bite places excess pressure on the TMJs, reshaping individual teeth may be suggested to evenly distribute the 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, or TMD.
Symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness around the ear, jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face, or temples. Other signs may include difficulty opening or closing your mouth and a clicking, popping, or grinding noise when chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth. TMD may also be linked to neck pain and headaches.
TMD is caused by a combination of factors, such as jaw injuries, joint disease like arthritis, bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding), and head or neck muscle tension. Stress is also believed to contribute, though it’s unclear whether stress causes TMD or is a result of it. Poorly fitted dentures or certain habits like nail biting and chewing on pens can also lead to TMD. With so many potential causes, diagnosing TMD can be complex. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms is to book an appointment.
Headaches can have many different causes. A physical examination is necessary to determine if TMD is contributing to your headaches.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be effectively treated with non-invasive treatments. Surgery is only considered in very rare cases. We will always present you with the safest and least invasive treatment options first and let you make the final decision on your care.
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