Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are what connect your lower jaw to your
skull. They’re extremely important for letting you talk and eat.
However, if there’s a problem with these joints, you could suffer from
constant pain that will severely lower the quality of your life. At Tamborello
Dental Associates, we can offer different kinds of therapy that can help you
relieve issues with your TMJ in Montrose. There’s no need to live with
jaw pain; just
contact our
practice today!
A TMJ disorder – also called TMD for short – develops whenever the
temporomandibular joints stop opening and closing correctly, causing nearby
muscles and nerves to become inflamed. There are many different factors that
can contribute to this condition, such as physical injury, stress, bruxism
(grinding of the teeth, especially at night), excessive gum chewing, and
biting nails or other hard objects.
TMD affects nearly 10 million Americans. While anyone can develop the condition, women between 18 and 44 years of age are at an increased risk. Also, some patients are genetically predisposed to pain sensitivity and stress responses, which might make TMD more likely.
While the most obvious symptom of TMD may be pain in the jaw, especially near
the jaw joints, other possible warning signs include:
If you notice any of these symptoms (especially in combination with each other), schedule an appointment at Tamborello Dental Associates so that we can properly diagnose the disorder and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.
There are a few different options when it comes to treating a TMD; since every
patient is unique, we’ll need to perform an examination before deciding
which one is right for you.
Sometimes a misaligned bite is the source of TMD. In many cases, this can be corrected by adjusting the surfaces of your teeth so that biting pressure is distributed correctly. This might involve, for example, placing fillings and crowns on certain teeth so that they fit together correctly.
This is the most common solution for treating TMD. The appliance will hold your jaw in a more comfortable resting position to relieve the tension placed on the temporomandibular joints. It can also protect the teeth from any harmful grinding that might be related to the condition. If you wear your appliance regularly, over time your symptoms could permanently improve.
Believe it or not, BOTOX can be used as an alternative TMD treatment. The injection stops the muscles in your jaw from making the (often unconscious) movements that cause tension and produce headaches. Many patients experience relief within one or two days, although in some cases it might take up to a week.
