TMJ Pain

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is the name given to several problems associated with jaw movement and pain in and around the jaw joints. You may also hear TMD called TMJ or TM problems. The jaw joints, or temporomandibular (TMJ) joints, connect the lower jawbone (mandible) to the skull. When your teeth are misaligned, or there is an improper bite position, there is an added strain on the head and neck muscles, joints, and teeth. Over time, this can lead to symptoms like chronic headaches, muscle spasms, jaw pain, and soreness. This can also lead to neck and back issues as your body tries to compensate.

• You grind or clench your teeth during the day or night
• You suffer from frequent headaches and pain in your neck
• You hear a ‘clicking’ or ‘popping’ sound when you open your mouth
• It is difficult and/or painful when you open your mouth wide when eating or yawning
• You have ever suffered an injury to your neck, head, or jaw
• You have arthritis in other joints throughout your body
• You have noticed that your teeth no longer touch when you bite together

If the pain and discomfort persist, you should consider making an appointment at Odeon Dental for a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan. Your comfort is our priority! We are equipped to provide you with TMJ Treatment and hope to help you soon.

While there are many home remedies available on the Internet to treat TMJ, it’s really not a condition to try to self-remedy. Odeon Dental offers treatment options that might include the following:

• Initial treatment may include pain relievers and muscle relaxers
• If pain relievers and muscle relaxers don’t work, the next option is custom oral splints and mouth guards. These have been known to help thousands of patients. It’s important that you work with a dentist who can custom mold a mouthguard for your specific mouth and needs, rather than purchasing a one-size-fits-all over the Internet or over the counter.
• Your dentist can provide guidance and education to help you best understand whether or not you have any particular behaviors that may be aggravating your pain, so you can avoid them. Some examples include teeth clenching or grinding, leaning on your chin, or biting your fingernails.
• If initial treatments like pain relievers or custom splints or mouth guards don’t work, your dentist may recommend corticosteroid injections into the joint or Botox® into the jaw muscles, both of which have proven to be highly effective in pain management.
• Surgery is always a last resort. However, since surgery involves more risks than other procedures, it should be considered very carefully after other remedies have been exhausted.