Jaw pain is not something to ignore.
While it may feel like a normal part of daily life, it can actually be a sign of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), stemming from one or both of your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). These joints, located in your lower jaw, can become inflamed due to disease or misalignment, leading to discomfort and various symptoms.
Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD):
- Headaches
- Earaches or tenderness around the ear
- Pain and tenderness in the face or jaw
- Muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
- Difficulty with chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth
If you experience these symptoms, seeking treatment can relieve pain, improve jaw function, and enhance overall quality of life.
Diagnosing and Treating TMJ Disorder
Diagnosis
To start, we’ll do a full examination of your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth to get to the bottom of any pain or discomfort. We’ll check for tenderness and listen for any clicking or popping when you open your mouth, chew, or swallow. If we find TMD, a bite splint or night guard is often the go-to for initial treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Bite splints are custom-made mouthpieces that fit over your teeth to prevent grinding and clenching, which often aggravates TMD symptoms. These splints also help realign your jaw, easing the pressure on your TMJ and bringing relief.
Alternative Treatment Options
If your symptoms are linked to a misaligned bite or missing teeth, we might recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. And if your bite is putting too much pressure on your TMJ, reshaping certain teeth can help balance things out and provide extra relief.
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 the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. If this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, it can lead to a condition known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Symptoms of TMD can include pain or tenderness around the ear, jaw joint, or muscles in the jaw, face, or temples. You might also experience difficulty opening or closing your mouth, and hear clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding noises when chewing, yawning, or speaking. Neck pain and headaches may also be linked to TMD.
TMD can result from multiple factors, such as jaw injuries, arthritis, tooth clenching or grinding (bruxism), and muscle tension in the head or neck. Stress might play a role as well, though it’s not certain if it’s a cause or a consequence. Poorly fitting dentures or habits like biting nails or pens can also contribute. With so many potential causes, diagnosing TMD can be complex, so the best way to understand your jaw pain is to book an appointment.
Headaches can be caused by many factors. A proper physical examination is needed to determine whether TMD is contributing to your headaches.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be effectively managed with non-invasive treatments. Surgery is rarely needed, and if it is, we will explore all options with you, prioritizing safe and simple treatments to help you make the best decision for your health.
Google Verified Patient Reviews
