If you suffer from the pain and discomfort associated with TMD, Neighbourhood Dental is here to help. We are pleased to offer TMJ/TMD Therapy to alleviate your symptoms, protect your teeth from the physical wear and tear that often results, and help you achieve optimal oral health.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” that connects your lower jaw to your skull on both sides of your head. It is responsible for the opening and closing of your mouth, as well as the movement of your jaw from side to side. Most of the time, the TMJ works well. However, there are situations where problems occur with the TMJ which can cause severe pain and affect your overall health.
TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorders, refer to problems associated with your jaw movement, and the pain in and around the jaw. In some people, the TMJ becomes overworked and overstressed, which can lead to TMD. If your upper and lower teeth do not close together properly, your muscles may reposition the temporomandibular joints out of their sockets in order to bring your teeth together. This misalignment can frequently lead to TMD. Often, people with misaligned jaws suffer from bruxism. Bruxism, which is characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth, is a common form of TMD, and includes jaw, neck, and face pain, severe and frequent headaches, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, and pain in and around your ear.
While it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of TMD, there are certain things that can lead to it, including:
Symptoms of TMD usually come on gradually, so they are rarely noticed right away. If you suffer from TMD, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
If you suffer from TMD, Neighbourhood Dental will create a customized treatment plan just for you. While there is no single cure for TMD and bruxism, there are many treatment options that are intended to help alleviate the pain and damage associated with it. All treatment options will be discussed with you so the best course of action can be chosen.
For some TMD patients, the symptoms are minor enough that treatment options like heat or cold, or eating soft foods, are enough to alleviate symptoms. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can oftentimes be enough to help alleviate mild pain.
If you suffer from TMD/bruxism, a custom night guard or splint may be prescribed. This custom made plastic dental device is worn over your upper or lower teeth, and helps to realign your jaw and teeth, thereby easing the pain associated with your TMD. It is thought that by realigning the jaw and preventing the jaw from clicking symptoms will be alleviated. The night guard also helps to protect the teeth from the physical wear and tear that results from the constant teeth grinding of bruxism, so that instead of wearing down your teeth, you bite against the night guard instead.
A series of Botox® injections into the muscles of the jaw can be a successful treatment option to alleviate symptoms of TMD. It does so by weakening and relaxing the muscles that are used when you clench or grind your teeth. Your dentist will administer a series of targeted injections, which work to relax or weaken the muscles that are used when you clench or grind. The result is that you place less stress on your jaw, and the tension decreases. The positive effects of Botox® can last many months and can even be permanent.
Neighbourhood Dental is here to help alleviate the symptoms of TMD, and help you get back to your normal life. If you are experiencing jaw pain, accompanied by other symptoms of TMD, please do not hesitate to call us at 825-221-1888 so we can help you today.
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