Jaw pain is not normal.
If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may seem normal to you. The truth is, jaw pain is far from normal and may be a symptom of a condition called TMD from one or both of your TMJs. Those are the joints of your lower jaw, called TemporoMandibular Joints. When disease or misalignment occurs, the TMJ and surrounding area becomes inflamed — which is what causes pain and other symptoms.
- Headaches
- Earaches, tenderness around the ear
- Face or jaw pain and tenderness
- Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning or opening your 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 of your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, your dentist checks for pain and tenderness and listens for clicking or popping as 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 approach to TMD treatment often involves bite splints, custom made plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper and lower teeth. These devices help prevent the grinding and clenching that can cause or worsen TMD. The splint also helps realign the jaw, relieving stress on the surrounding muscles and joints.
Alternative Treatment Options
If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are contributing to your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental treatment. If your bite is placing excess pressure on the TMJ, we may suggest reshaping certain teeth to help distribute bite force more evenly.
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 jawbone to your skull, while TMD refers to Temporomandibular Disorder, a condition affecting that joint and the surrounding muscles and nerves.
Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, difficulty chewing, stiffness, headaches, and in some cases, a locking sensation when opening or closing the mouth.
TMD can be caused by factors such as teeth grinding, jaw injury, arthritis, misaligned bite, or chronic stress that leads to jaw clenching. In many cases, a combination of factors is involvedhttps://littleitalydentistry.ca/wp-admin/post.php?post=1076&action=edit#.
If you experience persistent jaw pain, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or frequent clicking and popping, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist for an evaluation.
No, TMD can also cause headaches, neck pain, and ear related symptoms, since the jaw joint is closely connected to the surrounding muscles and nerves.
Mild cases of TMD may improve with self care measures like stress reduction and avoiding hard foods, but persistent symptoms often require treatment such as a bite splint or other therapy from your dentist.
No, most TMJ treatment starts with conservative options like a bite splint or night guard. Surgery is typically only considered in rare, severe cases that do not respond to other treatments.
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