If you experience pain in your jaw or discomfort when chewing or talking, you may be dealing with TMJ issues. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to the bones of your skull. When this joint is not functioning correctly, it can cause a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty opening or closing your mouth. At Center Valley Dental, we offer effective TMJ treatment to help you find relief and restore normal jaw function.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joint allows your jaw to move up and down and side to side, making it essential for speaking, chewing, and even yawning. TMJ disorders occur when there is a problem with the joint, the muscles surrounding it, or the way your teeth fit together (your bite). Some common causes of TMJ disorders include:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Jaw injuries
- Arthritis
- Misalignment of the bite
- Stress, which can cause jaw muscles to tighten
Symptoms of TMJ disorders can vary, but many people experience jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, earaches, and a popping or clicking sound when opening their mouth. If left untreated, TMJ problems can lead to more serious complications, such as chronic pain or difficulty eating.
Comprehensive TMJ Treatment
At Center Valley Dental, we take a comprehensive approach to treating TMJ disorders. This means we don’t just focus on relieving symptoms — we work to find the root cause of the problem and create a personalized treatment plan to address it. Our goal is to help you achieve lasting relief from TMJ discomfort.
One of the key ways we treat TMJ disorders is through bite equilibration and splint therapy.
Bite Equilibration
One of the most common causes of TMJ disorders is a misaligned bite, which means that your teeth aren’t coming together properly when you close your mouth. This can put extra strain on your jaw muscles and joints, leading to pain and discomfort. Bite equilibration is a treatment that focuses on correcting your bite to alleviate TMJ symptoms.
The first step in bite equilibration is to figure out exactly what’s going on with your bite. This involves a thorough examination of your teeth and jaw, along with digital scans and X-rays to see how your bite aligns. Once we understand the issue, we can make small adjustments to your teeth so they fit together more comfortably. This can be done by gently reshaping certain teeth or adjusting the position of your bite. By doing this, we help relieve pressure on your jaw joints and muscles, which can reduce or even eliminate TMJ pain.
Splint Therapy
Another common treatment for TMJ disorders is splint therapy. A splint is a custom-made oral appliance, similar to a mouthguard, that you wear over your teeth to help improve the way your jaw functions. There are different types of splints, depending on your specific needs, but the goal is the same: to give your jaw a chance to rest and heal while reducing tension and strain on the joint.
During splint therapy, you’ll wear the splint either at night or throughout the day, depending on your treatment plan. The splint helps reposition your jaw, keeping it in a more relaxed and balanced position. This can reduce the grinding or clenching that often contributes to TMJ disorders and protect your teeth from damage. Over time, wearing the splint can help reduce pain, improve jaw movement, and prevent further TMJ problems.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free jaw.