Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If jaw pain is a regular part of your life, it might feel normal—but it’s not. Persistent jaw pain can be a sign of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), which affects one or both of your TMJs (TemporoMandibular Joints). These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, and when they’re misaligned or affected by disease, inflammation can occur. This inflammation leads to pain and other symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored.
- Headaches
- Earaches or tenderness around the ear
- Jaw or facial pain and tenderness
- Muscle discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
What Are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, seeking professional TMJ therapy can help alleviate the discomfort and restore proper function.
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
The first step in treating TMD is a thorough clinical examination of your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your visit, we assess for pain or tenderness and listen for any clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, chew, or swallow. If TMD is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often the initial treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Bite splints are custom-made plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper or lower teeth. These devices help prevent grinding and clenching, common contributors to TMD, and gently realign the jaw to relieve stress on the affected joints and muscles.
Alternative Treatment Options
If your TMD symptoms stem from a misaligned bite or missing teeth, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work to address the underlying issues. In some cases, reshaping individual teeth can redistribute bite pressure evenly and reduce strain on the TMJs. With a personalized approach, we aim to relieve your discomfort and restore balance to your jaw, ensuring long-term comfort and functionality.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, it’s referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD.
TMD symptoms include pain and tenderness around the ear, jaw joint, or jaw muscles, as well as the face or temples. Other signs include difficulty opening or closing your mouth and clicking, popping, grinding, or crunching sounds when chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth. TMD can also be associated with neck pain and headaches.
TMD can result from various factors, including jaw injuries, arthritis, and habits like teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching. Muscle tension in the head and neck, poorly fitting dentures, and habits like nail-biting or pen-chewing may also contribute. Stress is another potential factor, though it’s unclear whether it causes TMD or exacerbates it. Given the variety of possible causes, diagnosing TMD often requires professional evaluation.
Headaches can have many causes, and only a physical examination can help determine if your headaches are linked to TMD.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be treated with non-invasive therapies. Surgery is rarely needed and is considered only in severe cases. We prioritize your health and well-being, starting with the safest, most effective options and ensuring you remain in control of your treatment decisions.
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