TMJ Treatment – Melbourne

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, also called “TMD,” affects millions of Americans and can cause a variety of painful or annoying symptoms. Common problems associated with TMJ disorder include headaches, migraines, jaw pain, earaches, and dizziness. We take a patient-centered approach to TMJ disorder and can help you determine the best method of treatment for your symptoms. To learn more about TMJ disorder, keep reading! To schedule an appointment, give our office a call!

What Is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder refers to a disruption of the nerves, joints, and muscles involved in chewing. The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) can become misaligned due to stress, injury, illness, or other factors. This creates strain on the surrounding muscles and nerves and often results in chronic pain or difficulty chewing. As your general dentist, we will examine your jaw joints and muscles, as well as your occlusion (bite) to determine the source of your discomfort.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

There are a variety of symptoms that people with TMJ disorder commonly encounter. Here are some of the most prominent ones.

• Headache: One of the most underdiagnosed causes of frequent headaches is TMD. The jaw muscles because tense, strained, and overworked, so it is easy for this to affect the nearby muscles in the head.
• Ear Pain: Since the TMJ is located next to the ears, having a dysfunctional joint can easily result in ear pain. It can also cause ringing in the ears, called “tinnitus.”
• Face/Jaw Pain: Jaw Stiffness and pain are the most common symptoms of TMD. It can be difficult to chew comfortably, and lockjaw is very common.
• Bruxism: Teeth clenching and grinding can be caused by daily stress, a misaligned bite, and TMD. It usually occurs during sleep and can overwork the jaw muscles, leading to additional pain.

Types of TMJ Treatment

Treatment for TMJ disorder ranges from patient to patient, depending on the causes and the severity of symptoms. We may recommend an oral appliance that re-aligns the jaw joints. Patients may also be advised to avoid chewing gum, crunchy foods, and extensive jaw movement. Focused facial relaxation and over-the-counter analgesics can provide relief, as well. We will guide you to the appropriate treatment and make recommendations for conservative therapies to combat TMJ pain. Here are two common treatment options we offer.

Occlusal Splint

An occlusal splint may look like a regular mouthguard, but while it does protect the teeth from grinding against each other, it’s designed to adjust the position of the jaw. Specifically, it’s made to guide the jaw slightly forward to relieve pressure on the TMJs when it’s at rest. You will generally wear your occlusal splint at night, but we will give you more specific instructions to meet your unique needs.

Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments

If your TMD symptoms are due to your teeth not coming together evenly, you may need an occlusal adjustment. We can remove small amounts of enamel from certain areas of your teeth so that they fit together properly. As a result, your jaw will no longer be exposed to an excessive amount of force whenever you bite or chew. In some cases, we may also build up your teeth with dental restorations.