TMJ, or, the temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint, acts like a sliding hinge. It connects the jawbone to the skull.
We treat many TMJ problems. This may include:
– Pain/headaches in the temples (temporalis muscle ache)
– Pain in the joint near the ears
– Pain in the chewing muscles of the face (masseter muscle ache)
– Clicking or popping in the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint)
– Chipping or worn teeth (bruxism)
There are several different treatments for these issues, but most involve wearing some type of guard at night. If you have worn one of these appliances before that covered all of the teeth and were not able tolerate it, there are smaller options available that only cover the front teeth. All options for TMJ appliances function to prevent the actions contributing to symptoms— grinding of the teeth, and/or, clenching of the jaw.
TMJ problems are usually caused by trauma to the jaw, grinding or clenching of the teeth, stress, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Symptoms may vary from mild to debilitating. While we do offer nightguard appliance options for symptom relief, the more severe contributors such as joint trauma or underlying health conditions must be treated by a physician or specialist.
