TMJ Treatments

Temporomandibular joint disorder, also commonly known as TMJ or TMD, is a disorder that occurs in the jaw. It can cause pain and discomfort in the face, neck, and shoulders. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull. When TMJ disorder is present, the jaw joint and surrounding muscles do not work properly. . .

What is a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

A temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, is an inflammation of the muscles that control jaw movement. There are many potential causes of TMD that range from grinding your teeth at night to arthritis in your joints. If you think you might have TMD, you should consult with your dentist soon. Diagnosing TMD early can help prevent further damage and discomfort. It can also help give you relief from symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, and migraines.

Signs and Symptoms of TMD

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of TMD, you should contact your dentist for a diagnosis as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Some of the common signs and symptoms include:

- Jaw pain

- Ear pain

- Sudden difficulty chewing

- Locking of your jaw when opening or closing your mouth

- Popping sounds when you open or close your mouth

- Headaches and migraines

- Tooth sensitivity

- Pain in your neck, shoulders, back, and arms

- Difficulty swallowing

- Painful jaw spasms

- Facial swelling

- Dental problems with your bite such as overbite or crossbite

Causes of TMD

The cause of TMD varies for each person. Some causes may include:

- Grinding your teeth at night

- Stress and anxiety

- Arthritis in your temporomandibular joints

- Teeth clenching on waking

- Bite misalignment such as an overbite or underbite

- Injury to the face or neck

- Gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis

- Nasal congestion

- Teeth that are out of alignment or not straight

- Eating

What causes TMJ?

Causes of TMJ disorder include clenching or grinding your teeth, arthritis, and jaw misalignment. Other possible factors may include habitual gum chewing, fingernail biting, poor posture, and stress.

If left untreated, symptoms may worsen over time, leading to problems with your bite, pain when opening and closing your mouth, and even hearing loss. If you suspect that you have TMJ disorder, talk to your dentist about treatment options to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.

Some patients with TMJ disorder find that wearing a night guard reduces their pain and allows them to better manage their condition. A night guard fits over your teeth and helps to prevent them from clenching or grinding during the night. Your dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth to send to a lab in order to make a customized night guard. Night guards are a great option for patients who experience chronic muscle tension and pain in their face, neck, shoulders, or back as a result of TMJ disorder. They may also be covered by your insurance.

Dr. Peter Steiger is a general and cosmetic dentist located in West Orange, NJ. He and his team are committed to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile through comprehensive dental care. To make an appointment, call the office of Dr. Peter Steiger at (973) 731-6777 or request an appointment online. To view examples of Dr. Steiger’s work, visit his smile gallery.

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What are my treatment options for TMJ?

You want to treat your TMJ symptoms, but you don’t want to have jaw surgery or braces. Fortunately, there are treatments available that don’t require those other types of treatment.

One option for treating TMJ is with guards that are molded to fit your teeth and jaws. The guards act as a cushion for your jaws so that they can relax comfortably together instead of grinding against one another. This helps relieve the pain and discomfort of TMJ by reducing the wear on teeth caused by grinding. Guards can be made out of hard plastic or soft material like silicon. Both types work equally well so you can choose the material you prefer for your appliance.

Another option you have for TMJ treatment is by wearing a splint at night. Nighttime splints hold your lower jaw slightly forward so that it doesn’t slip back when you’re sleeping. This holds the joint in place so that the muscles and ligaments can heal properly from any damage they may have sustained during your day.

For more information about treating TMJ, contact our office and schedule your appointment today!

Author Bio

Dr. Mark Gray is a Board Certified Orthodontist who provides orthodontic care at his practice, Falls Church Smiles. He completed his undergraduate degree at the Virginia Military Institute and went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia, graduating at the top of his class. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania for his Orthodontic Specialty training and earned a Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science in Oral Biology. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.

What is Occlusal Adjustment?

After your treatment is complete, your dentist may recommend that you wear an occlusal adjustment device. An occlusal adjustment device is a plastic appliance that you wear while you sleep. It positions the jaw so that it heals correctly and stays in the correct position.

There are several different devices available, but the most common is a full mouth guard, which fits over all of the teeth. In some cases, a removable splint is used instead. This only covers the front teeth.

What is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment can be used to treat many different types of bite problems, including some that affect the jaw joint. When these bite issues become severe enough that they cause long-term pain and/or damage, orthodontic treatment can help to correct these issues and alleviate discomfort. Learn more about these treatments from your dentist at [practice name].

In some cases, orthodontic patients can be treated with restorative dental treatments at the same time as their orthodontic treatments. This won’t change the overall length of a patient’s treatment but allows them to address problems with both their teeth and their bite at the same time.

Braces and Invisalign are two of the common types of braces that are used in orthodontics today. These are used to help correct misalignment in the teeth and jaws and improve the overall appearance of the smile. Both options can fix issues with overcrowding, overlapping, or twisting of teeth.

If a bite problem is caused by a problem with the alignment and function of the jaw, orthodontic treatment can help improve this as well. With the use of custom made splints or other appliances, the jaw is gradually moved into the correct position. This helps to prevent the development of additional issues and to restore normal function to the jaw and mouth.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

The field of cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the aesthetics of a smile rather than resolving functional issues in the bite or jaw joint. Many dentists provide cosmetic treatments, but those who practice exclusively in this field are called cosmetic dentists. At our practice, we provide many cosmetic dentistry services to help patients achieve the smiles they’ve always wanted!

Patients who visit their dentist for aesthetic concerns are often recommended services that aim to improve the appearance of their smile. Most of these treatments don’t address any underlying oral health concerns, but instead focus on improving the appearance of the teeth. To help a patient better understand which treatment is right for them, we can often recommend one or more procedures based on their oral health and their desired results. For example, if a patient is unhappy with the yellow color of their smile, we might suggest that they whiten their teeth with professional-grade whitening treatments and take-home kits. In some cases, we may even suggest porcelain veneers to help the patient fix minor chips or cracks in their smile. Veneers can also help improve the overall shape of a tooth that may be too small or worn down from extensive wear and tear. We can also fill small spaces between teeth using dental bonding. This non-invasive procedure uses composite resin to bond individual teeth together and create a more uniform appearance. These cosmetic dental treatments are not meant to replace restorative treatments such as fillings and root canals which resolve structural problems and treat oral infections. Instead, they are intended to be used in conjunction with these restorative options so that both function and beauty can be achieved for the patient’s smile!