What Is TMJ?
You have two joints on either side of your mouth that connect your jawbone to your skull. These are called your temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. These joints are right in front of your ears and include a small cartilage disk that cushions the two bones. This helps them glide smoothly and allows you to chew and speak comfortably. When these joints become misaligned, we call it temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and it can result in painful symptoms.What Is TMD?
TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder. You may be suffering from TMD if you are experiencing:- Jaw pain.
- Chronic pain in the area near your ear.
- A clicking or popping sound in your jaw.
- Pain or swelling in the muscles on the side of your face.
What Causes TMD?
There can be any number of reasons you are dealing with TMD. However, some of the most common possible causes include:- Stress.
- Arthritis in the TMJ.
- Dislocation of the ball and socket.
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth.
- Injury to the jaw, the joint, or muscles of the head and neck.
- Dislocation of upper and lower jaws during growth and development.
What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
There are many symptoms of temporomandibular disorder, but the most common include:- Depression.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Chronic jaw pain.
- Aching facial pain.
- Ringing in your ears.
- Worn or cracked teeth.
- Sensitive or sore teeth.
- Headaches or migraines.
- Pain while chewing or speaking.
- Limited jaw movement (locked jaw).
- Sharp pain in your neck and shoulders.
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open and close your mouth.
How To Treat TMJ Disorders?
Many people suffer from TMJ disorders every year. The good news is that most people can manage the pain with nonsurgical treatments. Most TMJ disorders can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, ice, and heat. However, depending on your specific situation, our dentists might also recommend other treatments to help relieve tooth grinding, or bruxism, as well. Our goal is to relax your muscles for long-term relief of TMJ-related pain.The Good News
Some TMD cases can actually resolve themselves with the help of remedies you can first try at home. We can give you further instructions on how to approach TMD when you come into our office for an appointment. If that doesn’t work, our Calgary dentists will be happy to provide treatment.Dental Solutions at East Village Dental
Our dentists may also recommend you to use a mouth guard to help keep your jaw in place, especially while sleeping. In severe cases, they may even recommend physical therapy to help better cope with the stress and pain of TMD. In some severe cases, our dentists might suggest dental work in order to get the most long-lasting results for your future. These procedures could include:- Orthodontics.
- Placing Crowns.
- Placing Bridges.
- Replacing missing teeth.
Why Choose Us?
At East Village Dental, we recognize that every case of TMJ disorder is different. Our dental team is dedicated to analyzing your specific situation and helping to create a course of treatment that will bring you the best results. We believe in offering the most convenient yet effective procedures possible to get you the relief you deserve. With our modern spa-like environment, we strive to make your dental visits as relaxing and pleasant as possible. While you’re at our clinic, you can expect to receive personalized attention from all our staff members.Find Your Pain-Relief Today
Set an appointment with us if you think you have TMD.
We are happy to help get you back to living life without constant or severe pain.