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TMJ Treatment Q & A
What is tempomandibular joint disorder?
Also called TMJ or TMD, tempomandibular joint disorder is a condition that occurs when the jaw joints become irritated and inflamed. People who have TMJ often suffer from chronic jaw pain and frequent headaches. Chewing, speaking and yawning may result in a clicking noise in the jaw, and sometimes, it may feel as thought your jaw “catches” or “sticks” when opened wide. TMJ occurs when the jaw joint is not properly aligned, resulting in uneven strain and stress on the joint which eventually result in painful inflammation.
What causes TMJ?
TMJ can be caused by several conditions that wind up interfering with your normal bite pattern, including:
missing teeth
badly damaged teeth
loose or sore teeth
grinding (bruxism) or clenching your teeth, especially during sleep
poorly aligned or crooked teeth
How is TMJ treated?
Years ago, TMJ was treated with invasive surgical methods. But today, there are many other ways to treat the jaw strain that causes TMJ. At Design Dental Spa, we begin TMJ treatment with a comprehensive examination of your jaw and your bite pattern to determine what may be causing or contributing to the imbalance in your jaw. Once the underlying cause of your TMJ is determined, we can develop a treatment plan that addresses those issues to help relieve inflammation and resolve pain and other symptoms. Treatment might include replacing missing teeth with an implant, bridge or denture, covering a damaged tooth with a crown, correcting alignment issues with braces or Invisalign®, or other approaches. When TMJ is caused by grinding or clenching your teeth, we can create special guard you can wear while you sleep to help prevent the stress and strain that can cause joint irritation. Your treatment plan will be based on your unique needs for the best possible outcome.
