TMJ Treatments

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a medical condition that affects your jaw joints. This disorder can cause severe pain and discomfort in the jaw and face. There are many symptoms that you may experience if you have TMJ, such as headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty chewing.

What are TMJ disorders?

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short, is a hinge that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. It’s used to open and close the mouth and chew food. When the jaw is misaligned, it may cause pain and other uncomfortable symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and more.

While you may think of these conditions as “TMJ problems,” they are actually called TMJ disorders. This is because these symptoms are often the result of an underlying issue that needs correction, such as teeth grinding or a bad bite. Fortunately, your dentist can create a custom treatment plan to help correct the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder. (more details on this)

If your TMJ disorder is caused by teeth grinding, your dentist may recommend a custom night guard to help reduce the damage that is done when you grind your teeth while sleeping. A night guard fits comfortably over the upper and lower teeth and helps prevent contact between the top and bottom rows of teeth while you sleep. This will help prevent tooth damage and reduce any symptoms of bruxism you may have.

How do dentists diagnose TMJ disorders?

A dentist will first determine the cause of your discomfort before recommending any treatment. They’ll perform an oral exam, review your past medical and dental history, and ask you to describe your symptoms in detail. They may also take digital X-rays to get a better view of your jaw alignment, skull shape and other contributing factors to your pain.

What treatments can a dentist perform for TMJ disorders?

- Bite guards

- Relaxation techniques

- Jaw exercises

- Medications

- Surgery

- Alternative therapies

Potential treatments for TMJ disorders depend on the specific condition and its severity. For example, if a patient’s jaw is misaligned as a result of teeth grinding, then the dentist might recommend an occlusal guard or splint (bite guard) to wear during sleep in order to prevent further tooth damage.

If the problem is stress-related, however, the patient will likely find the most benefit from relaxation techniques and stress management therapy. This won’t treat the TMJ disorder itself, but it can help to manage its symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening by teaching patients how to relax their jaws and muscles.