Our Regina general dentists can help diagnose and treat jaw pain or tightness caused by TMJ disorder.
What is TMJ Disorder?
The TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side so you can talk and eat. TMJ disorder (or TMD) occurs when there are issues with the jaw and the muscles in your face that cause symptoms like jaw pain, headaches and ringing in the ears.
TMJ Disorder Symptoms
TMJ disorder can cause a host of painful symptoms because your compromised jaw muscles have to work extra hard to do their job.
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches and migraines
- Teeth grinding (usually during sleep)
- Jaw, face and/or neck pain
- Dizziness
TMJ Questionnaire
Are you suffering from TMJ pain? Fill out our TMJ Questionnaire and we will follow up with you with some helpful insights about how to address your issues.
Fill out our QuestionnaireTMJ Disorder Causes
Your jaw joint is complex, and its movements are essential for you to eat and speak comfortably and effectively. When your jaw joints are balanced and healthy, they function smoothly, but when your teeth and/or jaw are misaligned, this joint disorder may occur.
There are also some other factors that may contribute to the disorder including the shape of your skull, genetics, airway issues and an injury or trauma to the jaw.
TMJ Disorder Treatment in Regina
At Health Style Dental, we will assess the nature of your TMJ problem. Once diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available to you, including:
- An appliance to reduce the harm done by nightime grinding
- An appliance that stabilizes the bite into a more balanced, comfortable position
- Orthodontics
- Physical therapy
- A 'TENS' machine that relaxes the tight jaw muscles so a natural, balanced bite can be established
If left untreated, TMJ disorder can lead to chronic pain and headaches, bone loss, gum tissue changes and loose teeth. If you have are experiencing any symptoms of TMJ disorder such as headaches, head and neck muscle pain, difficulty closing your jaw or dizziness, please contact us to make an appointment at Health Style Dental.