Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If jaw pain is a daily issue, it might feel normal, but it’s not. Jaw pain could be a sign of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), which affects one or both of your TMJs (TemporoMandibular Joints). When misalignment or disease occurs, the TMJ and surrounding tissues become inflamed, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Headaches
- Earaches and tenderness around the ear
- Face or jaw pain and tenderness
- Neck, shoulder, and upper back muscle pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth
Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD):
How We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder (TMD)
Diagnosis
Treatment for TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical exam, where we check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth for signs of pain, tenderness, or clicking when opening and closing your mouth. If TMD is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard may be recommended as the first step in treatment.
Treatment and Relief
We often use bite splints, custom-made mouthpieces that fit over your teeth. These splints help prevent grinding and clenching, realign the jaw, and reduce stress on surrounding tissues, offering relief from TMD.
Alternative Treatment Options
If a misaligned bite or missing teeth contribute to TMD, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. In some cases, reshaping individual teeth may be needed to balance bite forces and alleviate pressure on the TMJ.
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. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, it’s called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), which can cause discomfort and other issues with your jaw.
The symptoms of TMD include pain or tenderness in or around the ear, jaw joint, or jaw muscles, as well as issues opening or closing your mouth. You may also notice a clicking, popping, or grinding sound when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth. TMD can also be linked to neck pain and headaches.
TMD can be caused by factors like jaw injuries, joint disease (like arthritis), or bruxism (clenching or grinding your teeth). Muscle tension in the head or neck can also worsen symptoms. Stress might contribute to TMD, but it’s unclear whether it’s a cause or a result. Other causes can include poorly fitting dentures or habits like biting your nails or chewing on pens.
Headaches can have many causes, and it’s important to have a physical exam to determine if TMD is behind your headaches. Your dentist can help pinpoint the issue and recommend the best course of action.
Most TMJ pain can be treated with non-invasive treatments and therapies. Surgery is very rare and usually a last resort. We always prioritize the safest and easiest options for treatment and make sure you’re involved in every decision along the way.
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