TMJ Treatment Edmonton
Does your jaw click and pop? Do you frequently have sore facial muscles and jaw pain? If so, you may have to see a TMJ specialist in order to relieve your symptoms. TMJ treatment in Edmonton, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction treatment, refers to treating various symptoms of the jaw. TMJ can cause serious problems with your health and wellness. Sometimes TMJ jaw pain is so severe, they prevent you from eating and chewing properly.
Your jaw joints, muscles, and tendons have a complex relationship. Clenching and teeth grinding can contribute to problems with your temporomandibular disorder. Accidents and trauma also are commonly contributing factors to TMJD.
Here are the following symptoms of temporomandibular disorders:
- Clicking, popping, grinding in your jaw joint
- Facial pain and swelling
- Locking of your jaw
- Headaches, neck aches, and shoulder pain
- Clenching and teeth grinding
- Teeth not coming together properly
- Limited range of motion
- Numbness or tingling
- Severe pain
- Sensitivity
- Abfractions (notching of teeth near the gumline)While no cure exists for TMJ, treatment can reduce TMJ jaw pain and increase your quality of life. In most cases, treatment is non-invasive and therapeutic.
Diagnosis of TMJ Disorders
In order to accurately diagnose TMJ, your dentist will perform a thorough exam of your jaw and surrounding muscles. Looking at your range of motion, how your teeth come together, and listening to your joints can all provide valuable information regarding the health of your jaws. We may also recommend diagnostic imaging in order to provide accurate diagnosis.
Splint Therapy
An occlusal guard (splint) can help reduce the pain and other symptoms of TMJ in a couple of ways. By providing a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, some of the force from clenching and grinding is absorbed. Additionally, we design occlusal guards that help your jaw remain in a comfortable position while you sleep, reducing some of the symptoms of TMJ, including headaches and facial pain. Occlusal guards also protect your teeth. When you clench and grind your teeth, you are more likely to crack a tooth, causing pain and requiring dental services.
Years of tooth grinding (bruxism) can wear your teeth down, destroying your enamel, and exposing the soft dentin in your teeth. With dentin exposed, you are more prone to tooth decay and sensitivity.
Other Treatment Options
Treatments such as medication and behavior modification can contribute to the success of your temporomandibular joint treatment. Often, it is necessary to employ several different methods to address problems with your jaw. Massage, stress management, medication, and relaxation techniques are some of the most common complementary methods to add to your treatment plan.
TMJ Due to Trauma
TMJ often stem from a traumatic event such as an automobile accident where your jaw received direct trauma from impact or indirect trauma due to whiplash. We can treat patients with TMJD due to a motor vehicle accident and help restore comfort, health, and function.
Call Us to Schedule a TMJ Evaluation
Call our Edmonton dental office to schedule a TMJ evaluation with Dr. Jim Haymour, Dr. Everett Postill, or Dr. George Laschuk. At Kingsway Dental Centre, we have 25 years of experience we can apply to support your oral health.