Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (often known as “TMD” or “TMJD”) refers to trouble with your jaw muscle and the joints that connect it to your skull. Several factors such as arthritis, injury and genetics can contribute to TMJ dysfunction, often making it difficult to determine the cause.
If you’re suffering from frequent headaches and jaw pain, or if your jaw clicks, you may have TMJ issues. There are non-surgical options for treating TMJ, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
If you believe you may be suffering from TMJ dysfunction, contact Pretoria Bridge Dental today.
At Pretoria Bridge Dental, we work with our patients to determine the cause of their TMJ pain and discomfort. By assessing the state of your jaw and its relation to your skull, we’re able to make a diagnosis and outline potential treatment options — including pain-relieving appliances, orthodontics or restorative procedures to rebuild flat teeth.
Our team would be happy to get in touch with you to discuss a treatment plan for TMJ dysfunction. For more information about TMJ dysfunction in Downtown Ottawa or nearby areas (such as The Glebe, Sandy Hill, Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, etc.), contact us today.
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Although several factors contribute to the diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction, there are a few common signs and symptoms to be aware of:
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, make sure you mention them to your dentist so that our team can assess whether you need treatment.
Finding the underlying cause is the first step in an effective TMJ treatment plan. For accurate diagnosis and treatment, our dentists at Pretoria Bridge dental will evaluate your teeth and jaws using advanced, cutting-edge equipment. We provide many TMJ treatment options depending on the causes and it may include:
Splint or Mouth Guard
A mouthguard that is carefully made to correct your bite is the most popular corrective treatment for TMJ. To keep your teeth apart and avoid clenching and grinding, the appliance functions like a splint. As the guard decreases pressure and strain on your temporomandibular joints, it can lessen pain and discomfort.
Restorative Dentistry
Patients with TMJ symptoms that include bruxism may discover that the disorder has worn down or damaged their teeth. In addition to repairing damaged teeth, the dentist may advise getting bespoke crowns, bridges, or other dental work done to ensure that the top and bottom dental arches are balanced properly. We offer top-notch restorations that are perfectly fitted and completely natural-looking.
Orthodontics
Some people might need orthodontic treatment to address serious jaw alignment problems. We provide Invisalign®, a clear and straightforward orthodontic option that many adults find to be a great fit for their daily lives.
There are a number of different causes for TMJ pain to flare up including:
Yes, it can. In fact, many people who begin to experience TMJ symptoms tend to have them on one side of their face. As the disorder progresses, it usually begins to affect the other side of the face as well. However, in some cases, it can continue to affect only one side of the face.
If you have TMJ pain that is making it difficult to sleep, try lying on your back. This is the best position to keep your neck and back in good alignment, and keep pressure off of your jaw, alleviating pain, and allowing the joint to rest and recover while you sleep.
Practice good posture and relax the jaw muscles whenever you can to avoid acquiring a TMJ issue.
Additionally, it’s crucial to have routine dental exams so that your dentist can identify any potential bite or jaw problems early on and give you the chance to take additional preventative steps.
Please get in touch with Pretoria Bridge Dental if you have any additional queries about TMJ or TMD. we specialise in treating TMJ issues in the Ottawa area.
These two terms are related and frequently used interchangeably. Temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short, is the joint that joins the lower jaw to the skull. Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD, is what happens when the TMJ is impacted by problems that frequently cause discomfort or pain. It’s not uncommon for the term TMJ to be used in place of TMD.
