Jaw Pain is Not Normal
If jaw pain has become part of your everyday life, it might feel normal, but it’s not. Persistent jaw pain can be a sign of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), which affects one or both of your Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs). These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, and when they become misaligned or diseased, inflammation occurs, leading to pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.
What are the signs of TMJ disorder (TMD)?
- Frequent headaches
- Earaches or tenderness around the ears
- Jaw or facial pain and tenderness
- Muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek evaluation and treatment to restore comfort and proper function to your jaw.
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
Diagnosing TMD begins with a thorough clinical examination of your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will assess for any pain or tenderness, and listen for clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If TMD is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the first line of treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Our primary treatment involves custom-made bite splints, which are plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These splints help prevent the grinding and clenching that often exacerbate TMD. Additionally, the splint realign your jaw, relieving stress on the surrounding muscles and joints, which helps alleviate pain and discomfort.
Alternative Treatment Options
If your symptoms are caused by a misaligned bite or missing teeth, we may suggest orthodontic treatment or restorative dental work. In some cases, if the bite is placing too much pressure on the TMJs, reshaping certain teeth to redistribute bite force evenly may be recommended.
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 refers to the Temporomandibular Joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, it leads to a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD.
Common symptoms of TMD include pain or tenderness in the jaw, around the ear, or in the muscles of the face, jaw, or temples. You may also experience difficulty opening or closing your mouth, as well as clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding noises when chewing or yawning. TMD can also be linked to neck pain and headaches.
TMD can be triggered by various factors, such as jaw injuries, joint diseases like arthritis, or bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching). Muscle tension in the head or neck and stress may also worsen TMD symptoms, although it’s unclear whether stress causes TMD or is a result. Poorly fitting dentures and habits like biting fingernails or pens can also contribute. Due to the range of potential causes, diagnosing TMD often requires a comprehensive exam.
There are many potential causes of headaches, and only a physical examination by a healthcare professional can determine whether TMD is the root cause of your headaches.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be effectively treated with non-invasive therapies and treatments. Surgery is rarely required and is only considered in extreme cases. We prioritize your health and comfort, and will always present all treatment options, focusing on the safest and least invasive methods first. The final decision will always be yours.
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