Jaw Pain is Not Normal
Living with jaw pain every day may make it feel normal, but the reality is that jaw pain is not normal. It could be a sign of a condition known as TMD, which affects one or both of your TMJs—your Temporomandibular Joints. These joints, located in your lower jaw, can become inflamed due to misalignment or disease, leading to pain and other symptoms.
What Are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
- Headaches
- Earaches or tenderness near the ear
- Pain or tenderness in the face or jaw
- Muscle discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
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 visit, we assess for pain or tenderness and listen for any clicking or popping sounds as you open and close your mouth, chew, or swallow. If TMD is confirmed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the first step in treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Our approach to treatment includes the use of bite splints, which are custom-made plastic mouthpieces designed to fit securely over your upper and/or lower teeth. These devices help prevent clenching and grinding, which are common contributors to TMD. Additionally, the splint realigns the jaw, alleviating stress on the surrounding muscles and joints.
Alternative Treatment Options
When symptoms stem from a misaligned bite or missing teeth, orthodontics or restorative dental treatments may be recommended. If uneven bite pressure is affecting your TMJs, reshaping specific teeth to evenly distribute bite force might be suggested as part of your care plan.
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, the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. When this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, the condition is called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, commonly abbreviated as TMD.
TMD symptoms can include pain or tenderness in or around the jaw joint, ear, or the muscles of the jaw, face, or temples. Other signs may involve difficulty opening or closing your mouth and noises like clicking, popping, grinding, or crunching when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth. TMD may also be associated with headaches and neck pain.
TMD can arise from a mix of factors, including jaw injuries and joint conditions like arthritis. Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) and tension in the head or neck muscles may worsen TMD symptoms. Stress is also a possible contributor, though it’s unclear whether stress causes TMD or results from it. Additional causes include poorly fitting dentures and habits like biting fingernails or pens. The variety of potential causes makes diagnosing TMD challenging. Scheduling an appointment is the best way to address jaw pain symptoms.
Headaches can result from various causes. Determining whether TMD is the culprit requires a physical examination by a doctor or dentist.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be managed effectively with non-invasive therapies and treatments. Surgery is rarely needed and is considered only in severe cases. Your well-being is our priority, and we’ll always review all available options with you, starting with the safest and least invasive. The decision on how to proceed will always be yours.
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