Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If you experience jaw pain regularly, it might feel normal to you. However, jaw pain is not normal and may indicate a condition called TMD affecting one or both of your TMJs. These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull. When they become misaligned or inflamed, the surrounding area can swell, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Headaches
- Earaches or tenderness near the ear
- Pain or tenderness in the face or jaw
- Muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the 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 begins with a detailed clinical exam that evaluates your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your visit, we will check for pain or tenderness and listen for any 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 the first recommended treatment.
Treatment and Relief
We use bite splints, which are custom made plastic mouthpieces that fit over your upper or lower teeth. These devices prevent teeth grinding and clenching, which can cause or worsen TMD. The splint also helps realign your jaw and relieve stress in the surrounding area.
Alternative Treatment Options
If your symptoms stem from a misaligned bite or missing teeth, orthodontic treatment or restorative dental work may be recommended. If your bite places too much pressure on the TMJs, we may suggest reshaping certain teeth to distribute bite forces 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. When this joint is misaligned or inflamed, the condition is known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD.
Symptoms include pain and tenderness around the ear, jaw joint, or muscles of the jaw, face, or temples. Other signs include difficulty opening or closing the mouth and clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding sounds when chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth. TMD may also be linked to neck pain and headaches.
TMD can result from a mix of factors such as jaw injuries or joint disease like arthritis. Teeth grinding or clenching (called bruxism) and muscle tension in the head or neck may worsen symptoms. Stress may also play a role, though it is unclear whether stress causes TMD or results from it. Other possible causes include poorly fitting dentures and habits like nail biting or chewing on pens or pencils. Because many factors can contribute to TMD, diagnosis can be complex. The best way to understand your jaw pain is to book an appointment.
Headaches can have many causes. A proper physical exam is needed for a doctor to determine the source.
Most TMJ pain can be managed successfully with non invasive treatments and therapies. Surgery is rarely needed. Your health and comfort are our priorities. We will explain all options, begin with the safest and simplest treatments, and involve you in deciding the next steps.
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