TMJ Disorder
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Do you suffer from jaw pain, unexplained headaches, fatigue, earaches and dizziness? Perhaps you’ve noticed your jaw locking and clicking as of late? You may be suffering from TMJ Disorder (TMJD).
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) refers to the two joints connecting your jawbone to your skull. Being one of the most frequently used joints, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder can be extremely painful to deal with.
If you think you are suffering from TMJ Disorder, you should visit your dentist immediately for diagnosis and treatment. At Warrnambool Smile Dental, we are committed to providing you with the most effective TMJ treatments.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ Disorder is a condition that arises when the temporomandibular joint stops working correctly. These are two joints on each side of the face, located near your ears. They are one of the most frequently used joints as they allow your jaw to move when speaking, eating and for other facial movements.
TMJ Disorder is characterised by pain and tenderness in the jaw or the TMJ joints. If you have TMJ disorder you may notice difficulty in moving your jaw as you normally do and pain when performing even the most simple tasks like speaking and eating.
Common Causes Of TMJ Disorder
TMJD is often a result of several different factors. Some of the most common causes of TMJD are:
- Dental issues that can cause an uneven bite
- Osteoarthritis or wear and tear of the joint
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching)
- Injury or trauma to the jaw
- Head or neck injury
Symptoms Of TMJ Disorder
The symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary from individual to individual. Since some of the symptoms of TMJD are similar to those of other dental conditions, it may be challenging to determine the exact problem by yourself. However, when you visit our dental practice with these symptoms, our dentists will be able to assess your condition and provide an accurate diagnosis.
Common symptoms of TMJ Disorder include:
- Locking of the jaw and difficulty opening/closing your mouth
- Clicking sounds when you move your jaw
- Pain in the jaw
- Headaches and earaches
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Pain in front of your ears that can spread to your face
- Difficulty chewing food
- Changes in bite
- Facial swelling
How is TMJ Disorder Diagnosed?
If you experience any of these symptoms and believe you may have TMJD, we encourage you to visit our dentist as soon as possible. Since symptoms of TMJ can overlap with other dental and medical conditions, it is important to seek a professional diagnosis.
When you come for a consultation, we will first discuss your symptoms and examine your jaw and mouth. We will ask you to open and close your mouth several times to detect any signs of pain, clicking sounds, tenderness of the muscles and problems moving the jaw. If there appears to be a problem, we will examine further using dental imaging and X-rays.
How is TMJ Disorder Treated?
Once our skilled dentists diagnose your condition, we will create a personalised treatment plan to alleviate your pain. We offer a range of dental treatments for TMJ, and they include:
Orthodontic Treatment
A misaligned bite can put uneven pressure across your teeth and affect your jaws. If a misaligned bite is the main cause of your TMJD, orthodontic treatment will be recommended. From traditional braces to Invisalign and clear aligners, you can choose from a range of orthodontic solutions.
Mouthguards and Night Splints
Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as Bruxism, is closely linked with TMJ Disorder. The constant pressure from grinding and clenching can lead to wear and tear of your teeth and affect the temporomandibular joints, causing inflammation and pain. Mouthguards or dental splints can be worn at night to prevent excessive stress on your jaw joints.
Muscle Relaxants and Medication
Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants to help ease the pain. While they provide relief from pain and discomfort, they may not be a long-lasting solution.
Joint Surgery
Joint surgery is often the last resort when treating TMJ disorders. Our dentists will recommend this option only if the other options fail in treating TMJ disorders or if you have an extreme case of TMJD.
What Can I Do to Prevent TMJD?
There are a few lifestyle changes that you can practice to prevent excessive strain on your jaw joints and ease pain from TMJ disorder:
- Eat soft food and avoid chewing gum
- Cut food into smaller pieces
- Avoid clenching your jaw and opening it wide
- Wear a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding and clenching
- Apply a cold compress to your jaw
- Take breaks while chewing
- Treat misaligned teeth and bite issues
- Pyshiotherapy exercises to relax the jaw
- Improving your posture, especially while seated for long periods of time
Cost of TMJ Treatment in Warrnambool
The cost of TMJ treatment depends on the type of treatment and the severity of your condition. To get a more accurate and detailed idea about the cost of TMJD treatment, book an appointment with our friendly dentists, who will perform a comprehensive assessment of your mouth and the required treatment plan.
Payment Plans for TMJ Treatments
Our payment plans are designed to help you with your dental treatments over a period of time, so you can receive the care you need without breaking the bank. Contact us today to learn more about our payment plans and how we can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile!
How Can Warrnambool Smile Dental Help with TMJD?
We are committed to delivering the best and highest quality dental care to our patients at Warrnambool Smile Dental. Our goal is to alleviate your pain by treating the root cause of your dental condition with timely and effective treatment. To do so, we have our friendly and experienced team who will provide personalised attention to all your needs. We have also invested in cutting-edge technology at our state-of-the-art dental practice to ensure you receive safe, effective and pain-free dental care.
With years of experience treating dental conditions such as TMJ disorders, our experienced dentists will help you feel your best again. If you have headaches, jaw pain, or trouble sleeping, visit our dental clinic for a consultation.
We offer other dental services including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry, children’s dentistry and much more to cater to all of your dental needs.
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