The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the jaw joint connects to the skull, one on each side of the jaw. It acts like a sliding hinge to allow you to speak and chew, but when it’s affected with a disorder (TMD), you might experience pain in the jaw joint and/or the muscles that control jaw movement. We are happy to provide TMD and TMJ treatment in Calgary for our patients.
Common symptoms of temporomandibular joint pain or temporomandibular dysfunction include:
- Neck and/or shoulder pain
- Ear symptoms, including hearing loss, ringing, or pain
- Clenching/grinding teeth during sleep
- A chronic feeling of tiredness
- Ongoing headaches at the temples or above your eyes
- Popping or grating sound when you open and close your mouth
- Pain when trying to open or move your mouth from side to side
These symptoms may point to TMJ, but they may also be caused by another condition. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis to address the problem properly. Allowing the problem to go untreated can have negative effects on your jaw, teeth, and – if you’re unable to sleep well – overall health.
At Toothworks Calgary, we are happy to assist our patients in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. We will perform a comprehensive examination – which may involve the use of x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs – and recommend a treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and concerns. If it is necessary to involve the services of other treatment partners, such as chiropractors, cranio/mandibular specialists, physiotherapists, or massage therapists, we can recommend potential treatment partners to work with us on relieving your symptoms.
TMJ therapy near you usually consists of a night guard. This type of mouth guard is designed for comfortable wear during sleep to prevent direct contact between the top and bottom lines of teeth when teeth grinding is an issue. It also reduces tightness in the jaw muscles and affects the alignment of the jaw; this should help patients who suffer from TMJ symptoms to sleep more comfortably and wake up with less pain.
If you believe that you may have a TMJ disorder, give us a call to book your consultation soon to relieve your pain and discomfort.
