Category: TMJ treatment

Many people suffer from pain related to the temporomandibular joint that holds the skull and jaw together. It restricts the movement of the jaw and is a condition that is challenging to diagnose and treat. The challenges are because of the complexity of the jaw joint and muscles controlling the jaw. Doctors and patients alike need to understand the symptoms, causes, and treatment options available for TMJ therapy before they embark on a journey for the treatment.

Temporomandibular Joint — What Is It?

The TMJ joint is located at the base of the skull and it allows for the movement required for talking and chewing. This joint connects the mandible which is also known as the lower jaw to the temporal bone that has its position on the side of the skull. This joint is one of the most complex in the body as it allows movement from all sides. It contributes vastly to the complexity of TMJ disorders and any TMJ therapy offered to treat it effectively.

Can TMJ Therapy Treat TMJ Disorders?

Diagnosing TMJ disorders is the biggest challenge for doctors or even dentists that may be offering TMJ therapy near you. The disorders are in a broad category and may include many possible reasons. Under the circumstances, the treatment options available are also different. Any doctor offering TMJ therapy near you may attempt to diagnose the condition based on the number of symptoms which may include persistent pain around the jaw and restricted movement of the jaw. TMJ disorders generally resolve themselves over some time except for some cases which may be ongoing.

The Causes of TMJ Disorders

Many possible reasons have been attributed to the possible causes of TMJ disorders. Some of the known causes include the following:

• Arthritis.
• Physical injury.
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth when sleeping.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Dental surgery.
• Infections.

Women are more prone to TMJ disorders than men and researchers are currently looking at whether hormonal causes are a cause of this condition. Environmental and genetic reasons could also be causes of TMJ disorders. Violinists are often experiencing TMJ disorders more than others as their profession requires them to hold a musical instrument under the jaw causing strain and leading to TMJ disorders. While the precise reason for the disorder hasn’t been understood researchers are hoping that investigating the link between estrogen the female hormone and this condition may prove helpful.

The Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

There are many symptoms linked to TMJ such as pain when moving the jaw, headaches, migraines, sounds when opening and closing the mouth and restrictions in movement. Doctors or dentists offering TMJ therapy are often considering the symptoms before suggesting any treatment to the patient.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders

Many people have benefited from lifestyle changes and self-care that was advised to them by the TMJ dentist in NW, Calgary. The lifestyle changes helped them to manage mild to moderate symptoms. Some of the recommended self-care treatments by the dentist included reduced movement of the jaw, avoiding hard foods, chewing gum, and clenching of the jaw. Dentists may also recommend stretching exercises, massaging the muscles affected which may provide relief to the patient. A combination of rest and exercise may also be suggested with a healthcare professional providing advice on the type of exercises to follow and lifestyle changes to make for easing up TMJ disorders. The symptoms of this condition can also be reduced by applying moist heat or ice packs.

TMJ Therapy for Pre-Existing Conditions

Most specific options of TMJ therapy are available for disorders that may be caused by pre-existing conditions. TMJ therapy in NW Calgary, AB, is providing mouthguards to patients if the disorder is caused by bruxism. Steroid injections are suggested for patients where the disorder is caused by degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. The injection is administered into the joint itself to help reduce the swelling and the pain. Patients generally experience some relief within a week of administering the injections. In some cases, the steroids may resolve the problem of the disorder permanently but for others, it may only be a temporary fix. TMJ disorders are not concerning and will generally resolve by themselves in a couple of months. The symptoms are not a major inconvenience. If the condition is long-lasting and is concerning for the patient effective TMJ therapy can be provided by the TMJ dentist in NW Calgary to provide relief from the discomfort.

At times, our bodies can make some embarrassing sounds. However, this sound can also be an indication that something might be wrong with your body. It is important that we list to our bodies and look of for clues signaling that there might be something wrong. For instance, a grumbling stomach means you are hungry, and you need to eat. A whistling nose is an indication of an obstruction in the airflow which needs to be removed. A belch is an indication that the air needs to escape your stomach. While these sounds have a simpler fix, certain sounds can have deeper meanings and need to be addressed immediately.

Popping or Clicking Noise Coming from the Jaw

A noise you need to look out for is a clicking or popping sound coming from your jaw. This can happen while eating and chewing, yawning or while moving your jaw. This noise comes from the jaw joint, and this condition can be referred to as temporomandibular disorder or TMD. Your jaw muscles and joints function together for the opening and closing your mouth. They offer you a range of motion and can move in many different directions allowing you to talk, chew and swallow. When your jaw joints do not function properly, it can result in pain and noises coming from your jaw. According to the most dentist in Calgary, this popping and clicking noise is one of the few symptoms of the TMJ Disorder. In case you are experiencing you’re popping and clicking noise from your jaw or are showcasing any other symptom of the TMJ disorder, you need to contact your dentist in Calgary, AB at the earliest. Your dentist in NW, Calgary will help in determining your bite and jaw misalignment and accordingly formulate a treatment plan for restoration of the balance and function of your jaw. In case you reside in Calgary, Alberta and experience a clicking or a popping sound in your jaw, schedule an appointment with Tooth Works and allow our professional dental team to examine your jaw for diagnosis and further treatment.

TMJ pain is not a new term and many people have come across this term. However, a lot of people do not know details about TMJ pain despite they have heard about the term. So, what is actually the TMJ pain? How can it bother you? Well, to learn about it, you need to consult with a professional and experienced dentist NW Calgary. At Toothworks, you can get excellent information and solutions against this dental issue. TMJ pain, which is also known as Trigeminal Neuralgia, is basically a facial pain. TMJ is the acronym of the Temporomandibular Joint. This joint connects our jawbone to the skull. Such pain mainly occurs due to dental issues.

Bruxism or Teeth Grinding

When it comes to TMJ pain, teeth grinding has been regarded as the major problem behind TMJ pain. Professional dentist in NW Calgary have seen that a lot of people have the habit of clenching teeth unknowingly. As a result, stress has been caused on the jawbone joint or TM Joint. Many people have the habit of clenching teeth during the sleep. This can also cause pain at the jawbone joint. Apart from teeth grinding, there could also be some other reasons behind the occurrence of TMJ pain. Here are those reasons at a glance:

• Accidental trauma on teeth and facial injury
• Too much use of chewing gums
• Inflammation disorders like arthritis
• Use of orthodontics braces for a long time

Solutions for Preventing Bruxism

In order to prevent Bruxism, you need to consult professional and skilled cosmetic dentist NW Calgary. Bruxism is basically a physical condition. Many people tend to stop breathing during the sleep for some time. During this time, teeth grinding happens. As a result, stress is created and that can potentially lead to TMJ pain. In order to avoid Bruxism, you need to maintain the right posture of sleeping so that breath stopping does not happen. Many people also perform breathing exercise to get relief. At Toothworks, some patients are suggested to use night teeth guard to prevent teeth grinding. To learn more about it, you need to consult professional and reliable dentist near you.

You may not know, but millions of the population live with jaw pain on any given day. Chronic jaw pain can make it difficult to live out your everyday life. Patients can oftentimes not realize that the jaw pain they experience is a symptom that requires professional attention. If you suffer from clicking, popping, and locking joints, this can be an indication of the deterioration of the joint condyle. At Toothworks we want to make sure that our patients can realize symptoms that they are experiencing, and give our Calgary, AB, office a call if they are worried about any kind of dental condition. With this article, we will be discussing TMJ, that way you can know if you need to visit our Calgary, AB, office sooner rather than later.

How We Treat TMJ Dysfunction

To determine the best type of treatment that will work for you and your circumstances, it is best that you receive a comprehensive evaluation. Below are all of the options available, so you can work in also making a choice that is best for you.

Occlusal Splint Therapy

This particular type of therapy is a non-invasive splint therapy that helps reduce jaw dysfunction by providing guidance for the resting position of the job. A splint, also known as a night guard, provides a barrier between the upper and lower shots to prevent any kind of damage that can occur during the sleeping hours.

Replacing Missing Teeth

Sometimes the best way to treat TMJ is by replacing missing teeth to restore the integrity and health of your bite.

Orthodontics

Sometimes the shifting of teeth can misaligned the jaw and keep your teeth from coming together correctly. A simple visit to the orthodontist, in a solution provided by him or her can drastically help your TMJ disorder.

Equilibration

Sometimes teeth and dental restorations can create a situation in which your teeth do not come together properly. Tiny adjustments to crowns, fillings, or even the surfaces of your teeth can drastically change TMJ.

Treating TMJ in Calgary

As stated above, we at Toothworks in Calgary, AB, are dedicated to helping our patients with any dental condition they may have. If you are currently suffering from jaw pain and would like a consultation, feel free to contact us and we would be more than happy to set up an appointment. Continue reading “Jaw Pain? It Might be TMJ…”

A more common problem than probably realized, temporomandibular joints, also known as TMJ can be the main culprit causing your headaches, paw pain, or even soreness. If you’re wondering if you suffer from this syndrome, keep reading to find out some of the symptoms and ways to improve or alleviate TMJ discomfort.

What is TMJ?

TMJ or TMD are both acronyms used interchangeably to describe TM joints or a disorder afflicting this part of your skull. TM joints are located on either side of your head and are responsible for all of the major movements of your jaw. Coupled with the muscles, ligaments, and bone in your face, the TM joints are responsible for your chewing, yawning, speaking and the opening of your mouth.

How Does Posture Cause TMJ Disorders?

All of our bodies are designed to work at their best when all of your joints, bones, tendons, and muscles are properly aligned. Any posture de-alignment or abnormality can ultimately affect your health, sometimes in the form of TMJ or TMD. Living with a TMJ disorder can be hard, that’s why seeing a chiropractor or just trying to generally improve your posture is an inexpensive place to star treatment.

Ways to Improve Posture to Alleviate TMJ Discomfort

Trying jaw stretches, allowing your jaw to relax and even taking up stress reduction therapy are all ways to alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with TMJ. Even yoga, Pilates, physical therapy or guided stretching has proven a big help to some. At Toothworks in Calgary, AB, we don’t want to see any of our patients in pain. Thanks to this, we will do everything in our power to help you if you experience any kind TMJ discomfort. Give us a call today to experience a pain-free way of dentistry!

Sometimes, symptoms of TMJ disorders subside without specific treatment for TMJ. But if your pain or discomfort persists, your dentist or doctor may suggest several TMJ treatment options. Often, more than one measure may be needed at the same time.

TMJ Disorders Treatment

Medications may work well along with other nonsurgical TMJ treatments. The following drug options alleviate TMJ pain for many patients:

• Pain Relievers and Anti-inflammatory Drugs: If over-the-counter meds do not relieve your TMJ symptoms, prescription pain relievers. Typically, NSAIDs like ibuprofen are the standard treatment for TMJ.
• Tricyclic Antidepressants: Drugs like amitriptyline, that used to manage depression, are also known to relieve TMJ pain.
• Muscle Relaxants: These medications may be prescribed for several days or weeks to treat symptoms of TMJ disorders.

Non-Drug Therapies for TMJ Pain

Common non-drug treatments for TMJ disorders include:

• Mouth Guards or Oral Splint: Patients who suffer from jaw or TMJ pain benefit from wearing a mouth guard or oral splint over their teeth. It controls teeth clenching and alleviates tension on the jaw joint.
• Physical Therapy: This might include moist heat, ice, ultrasound and stretching and strengthening exercises for the jaw.
• Counseling: It helps if you understand what habits and factors aggravate your TMJ pain so that you can eliminate or avoid them. Common TMJ causes include teeth grinding or clenching, biting fingernail biting or leaning on your chin.

Surgical Treatment for TMJ

When all else fails, there are surgical TMJ treatments and other procedures available to address TMJ symptoms:

• Arthrocentesis: This minimally invasive procedure involves small needles that are inserted into the jaw joint to allow fluid to be irrigated through the affected area to remove inflammatory byproducts and debris.
• Injection Therapies: Corticosteroid is helpful for some patients when injected into the jaw joint. Sometimes injecting Botox, or similar toxins, into the chewing muscles is an effective TMJ treatment.
• Arthroscopy: For some individuals, arthroscopic surgery relieves symptoms of TMJ disorders. A thin tube is inserted into the joint space, followed by an arthroscope to uncover TMJ causes and other surgical instruments.
• Modified Condylotomy: This procedure indirectly treats TMJ causes by operating on the mandible, as opposed to the joint. If the sufferer experiences lock jaw, this TMJ treatment may be effective at relieving pain.
• Arthrotomy: If your TMJ pain does not respond to conservative treatment methods, a structural problem may be to blame. Arthrotomy or open-joint surgery may be necessary to replace or repair the faulty joint. However, this solution comes with more risks than any other option and should be carefully considered.

Alternative TMJ Treatments

Alternative TMJ disorders treatment techniques are worth trying. Non-traditional medicine such as acupuncture, relaxation techniques or biofeedback may manage chronic TMJ pain by helping to relax tight, tense muscles.

Why Does My Jaw Hurt?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, withstands a lot of abuse over the course of a lifetime. This joint is used more than any other in the body. TMJ is a hinge that connects the lower jawbone (mandible) and the upper jaw (maxilla) to the skull. This bony structure allows opening and closing of the mouth. Medical disorders or misalignment due to injury can result in jaw inflammation and sore jaw muscles.

What Causes Jaw Pain?

The jaw joint is a complicated mix of bones, tendons, and muscles. Damage to any of these areas may result in jaw tightness or other jaw discomfort. Both upper jaw pain and or lower jaw pain are common ailments, each the result of varying causes. Some individuals experience ear and jaw pain while chewing, others endure jaw discomfort regardless of movement. Besides painful chewing, many sufferers experience a clicking or popping sensation in the jaw, tooth pain and soreness throughout the face and neck area. It all depends on the source of the pain. There are conditions, unrelated to TMJ, that appear to induce jaw soreness. Some common health issues include heart disease or angina, osteoarthritis and trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the nervous system inducing pain in the face and jaw.

What Treatments are Available?

Oftentimes jaw soreness as a result of TMJ disorders will disappear without treatment. If symptoms become persistent consult your dentist for a consultation to evaluate the cause of your jaw pain. Non-prescription pain medication like Ibuprofen can be taken to alleviate ear and jaw pain and possibly diminish jaw inflammation. If necessary, your doctor may suggest stronger analgesics, a certain class of antidepressants or muscle relaxants. For individuals who clench their teeth while sleeping, a bite guard may be prescribed. If all else fails, your doctor may discuss injections or surgery to relieve your sore jaw muscles.

TMJ- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is the name or acronym used to describe a collection of dental problems altogether; it is not merely just an isolated dental disorder by itself, but a group on a whole. The problems mainly involve the jaw, that is, the muscles and joints that are around the jaw. Some of the symptoms include having stiff jaw muscles- jaws that are difficult to move about due to the limited and restricted motion; painful popping or clicking in the joint of the jaw; pain while chewing, etc. TMJ is a very a painful and disconcerting disorder that leaves the person feeling uncomfortable and in extreme pain for an extended period of time. If not treated immediately then your jaw might suffer greater damage and actually come out of its natural alignment. This can lead to chronic teeth-grinding and jaw-popping discomforts that will eventually cause more deep-rooted problems in your dental area. Some causes of the disease include clenching teeth for a prolonged length of time, damage in the cartilage of the joint due to any traumatic event or medical causes like arthritis, dislocation of the jaw, or for many other reasons. But sometimes, the causes of TMJ can be unknown, and hence, treatment is not always easily available. So, because of the lack of available treatments, it is always better for you to be careful so as not to acquire the disease. As we all know, prevention is always better than cure, and since this particular disease doesn’t really have a permanent cure in the first place, you must take great care so that you don’t get yourself in a bad situation with TMJ. Some definite ways to avoid it are by taking special care to avoid any injuries to the jaw, any blows to the face, and by fighting the urge to clench your teeth even when under great stress or anger. If your jaw ever feels like its tightening up, then, according to dentists’ suggestions, relax and gently massage your jaw muscles for some time to avoid increasing the tension in the jaw bones- this is a small exercise that will help to relieve the tension from your jaws. Regular visits to the dentist will cover all of these small exercises and also help to maintain good dental health.