TMJ Dysfunction
The Tempomandibular Joint, also known as the "TMJ", assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw. If your teeth are crowded or misaligned, or you habitually clench and grind your teeth, these forces can put much stress on the joint and jaw muscles. The results may be pain in the ear area, headaches, neck pain, clicking or popping sound in the joint, pain with chewing, breaking of teeth or tooth sensitivity and in extreme cases, difficulty opening and closing. These conditions also result in deterioration of the joint and arthritis. We do a thorough exam for TMJ Dysfunction. In most cases, treatment may be as easy as wearing a custom-fitted nightguard to bed. In some cases, wearing an orthotic appliance during the day, may accompany physical therapy, and medication to relieve joint pain and relax muscles.
Although there is no cure, many of our patients have found incredible relief by wearing a nightguard.
"If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with me, I’d take my splint. I have a high stress job and am just that “type A” personality ... not surprisingly, I grind my teeth in my sleep. The splint keeps me from grinding and keeps my jaw in a comfortable position. Since I’ve had the splint, when I wake up in the morning I feel well rested and my jaw isn’t sore from grinding! I will never be without it again!"
