TMJ Disorder Treatment
Relief From TMD & Jaw Pain
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is a hinge joint that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side so you can talk and eat.
TMJ disorder (or TMD) can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. This is most often caused by misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Other factors that may contribute to TMD include genetics, airway issues, and injury or trauma to the jaw.
The symptoms of TMD include jaw pain, headaches and ringing in the ears. If left untreated, TMD can lead to chronic pain, bone loss, and gum tissue changes.
Our team at Smyth Dental Centre can provide a number of options to help address your TMD. Contact us if you would like to book a consultation with one of our dentists.
TMJ Treatment Options
There are different types of TMJ disorder, so we’ll need to examine your jaw to get a feel for the situation. We’ll explain our findings to you and give you our treatment recommendations, which may involve the following:
Occlusal Splints - Oftentimes, a TMJ disorder can be treated with a splint designed to be worn over your teeth. The splint can keep the lower jaw in a position that allows the muscles and ligaments of the TMJ to rest. Also, wearing a splint helps protect your teeth and jaws from bruxism, one of the main causes of TMJ-related pain.
Occlusal Adjustments – Occlusal adjustment is a procedure that corrects the way your teeth come together. For example, certain teeth might need to be slightly reshaped by removing small amounts of enamel. After the necessary adjustments are made, your TMJ should be able to reach its proper resting position, and the pain will go away on its own afterward.
BOTOX Injections – BOTOX is a lesser-known way to treat TMJ disorder. Simply put, injecting BOTOX into your jaw muscles helps them relax, which can reduce your pain and improve your ability to move your mouth. By itself, BOTOX typically isn’t a permanent solution; it’s normally used along with other types of treatment.
Symptoms of TMD
TMD can cause a host of painful symptoms because your compromised jaw muscles have to work extra hard to do their job effectively. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches and migraines
- Teeth grinding (usually during sleep)
- Jaw, face and/or neck pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, contact us. We will set up a consultation and perform a physical exam to better understand your issue.