TMJ Treatment in Newtown, Bucks County, PA
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, and it is a hinge that joins your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. This joint is made up of bone, disc, synovial cavity, ligaments, and muscles to allow you to move your jaw side to side and up and down while it facilitates chewing, talking, and yawning. In some cases, there can be a problem with this joint, and that is referred to as a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The primary cause of TMJ disorder is problems with the jaw muscles or the jaw joint. Injuries to the jaw, neck, and head can lead to TMJ Disorder. Common causes of TMJ Disorder include whiplash, clenching or grinding of teeth, arthritis pain, and stresses that cause clenching and tightening of facial muscles and the jaw.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder can be quite painful and cause a large amount of discomfort. Some of the common symptoms include difficulty opening the mouth, jaws that get stuck open or closed, a clicking or popping sound while moving the mouth or chewing, or tenderness and pain in the face, neck, jaw, and around the ear. Other symptoms that someone with TMJ disorder might experience are headaches, toothaches, dizziness, ringing in the ear, and upper shoulder pain.
TMJ Treatment in Newtown
It is essential to seek assistance from a dental expert to treat the TMJ disorder. Cases can be simple to complex. It may involve other integrative healthcare recommendations. Here is how we can help you:
- Over-the-counter solutions: Dentists may recommend a way to soothe dental swelling and pain when present. We may recommend a way to achieve relaxing the muscles and avoid the clenching or grinding of the teeth.
- Nightguard or splint: It is one of the most recommended TMJ treatments by dentists and is a plastic mouthpiece fit over the lower and upper teeth so that they don’t touch each other. It minimizes the effect of grinding or clenching.
- Orthotic Appliances: There are a variety of orthotic appliances for TMJ Therapy to help with symptoms like bruxism, headaches, migraines, breathing and tongue related concerns.
- Dental work: When teeth are missing, shifting can occur and this can set off an imbalance. The dentist might recommend replacing missing teeth to balance the biting surface of the teeth and correct any bite problems. Only in severe cases are dental surgeries suggested.
If case you are experiencing TMJ problems, contact us and we will guide you through this dental treatment process and answer all your concerns.