TMJ Treatment

Improve Jaw Health & Alleviate TMJ Pain

Jaw discomfort and pain can interfere with daily life. If you have a misaligned bite or a teeth grinding habit, we encourage you to see one of our doctors for an evaluation. (Patients who are getting restorative work, such as dental crowns or dental implants, need to be especially mindful about any bite problems and issues with the jaw, too!).

We are here to help identify TMJ disorders and provide treatment that can help to restore your jaw health and stop the jaw pain & headaches.

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Symptoms Of A TMJ Disorder

One of the most noticeable symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) is difficulty chewing or a feeling of tenderness or soreness around the jaw and neck. 

Other symptoms include:

  • Pain in the face, ear, or mouth

  • Difficulty opening the mouth wide

  • Pain when yawning

  • Toothaches

  • Jaw joint crackling

  • Frequent headaches

  • Muscle spasms

  • Jaw joint locking

 

Causes Of TMJ

One of the most common causes of TMJ is a teeth grinding habit. Since grinding the teeth (bruxism) can wear down the teeth, you may end up with problems with your bite and jaw pain. 

Some of the other causes of TMJ pain include:

  • Jaw bone degeneration

  • Jaw joint damage

  • Arthritis

  • Stress

  • Gum chewing

  • Poor posture

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TMJ TREATMENT OPTIONS

There is no single cure for TMJ but there are several treatment options we provide at our office that can help reduce symptoms and restore your jaw health.

  • Correcting the bite is always a high priority. If you are getting dental implants or restorative work like crowns and veneers, it’s even more important to work with a dentist that understands occlusion.

  • Breaking a teeth grinding or clenching habit is one of the most effective ways to reduce jaw damage. Our doctors at Water Oak Dental Group may recommend wearing an oral appliance over your teeth to prevent teeth grinding. 

  • Other treatment options may include: stretching the jaw muscles regularly, relaxation exercises to reduce muscle tension, and medication to relieve pain.

An occlusal adjustment (bite adjustment) can help some people suffering from bite problems. Jaw joint surgery is usually reserved for only serious cases.

Dr. Root discusses the importance of understanding occlusion in our video! →

Ready to alleviate your TMJ pain?