Are you suffering from migraines, frequent headaches, jaw pain, or an ache in your face? These are all symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also known as TMJ or TMD. This condition can make chewing, talking, and other daily activities painful and difficult.
At McQueen Dental, we have a variety of treatment options available for our patients who suffer from TMJ. Dr. McQueen provides a complete evaluation of the jaw and mouth to determine the best treatment options for each individual patient. You don’t need to keep suffering with headaches and jaw pain!
What Is TMJ?
TMJ is a common abbreviation for Temporomandibular Joint, which is the joint connecting your lower jawbone to the base of your skull. There are a series of complex muscles, joint pads and tendons that help move and protect this joint while it is in motion.
Because this joint is one of the most frequently used joints in the human body, when it becomes inflamed, it can be extremely painful. Problems and pain associated with the TMJ are often referred to as simply “TMJ” or “TMJ Disorder”.
Symptoms vary, but can include:
- Headaches
- Pain and tenderness around your jaw, ears, cheeks and neck
- Migraines
- Stiffness in the jaw
- Earaches
- Painful chewing
- Pain when you yawn
- Locking jaw
- Uncontrolled change of facial expression
- Changes in how the upper and lower teeth fit together
What Causes TMD?
Many things can contribute to the development of TMJ. Stress can be a factor, as well as anything that can cause tension in the jaw and surrounding muscle groups.
A few common causes can be:
- Grinding teeth or clenching your jaw (also referred to as bruxism)
- Injury to the neck or jaw from a trauma such as an auto accident.
- Improper bite alignment
- Arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Dislocation or erosion of the joint
How Can TMJ Treatment Help?
There are several ways TMJ treatment can help manage this disorder. At McQueen Dental, Dr. McQueen often recommends using a customized mouthguard to alleviate your symptoms.
Mouth guards can help reduce the pain that comes from overusing the jaw muscles. They can also give your teeth and jaw a break from clenching and grinding while you sleep.
Customized mouth guards can often offer TMJ sufferers these benefits:
- Reduced shoulder and neck pain
- Minimized lockjaw symptoms
- Reduced jaw discomfort when talking, chewing or yawning
- Removal of headaches caused by bruxism
- Reduction in jaw tension
Schedule Your TMJ Treatment Consultation With McQueen Dental Today!
If you’re suffering from the symptoms of TMJ, give us a call. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about TMJ treatment or any of our other dental services.
A consultation with Dr. McQueen can be the perfect way to answer all of your questions and determine if TMJ treatment could be the best solution for your smile and overall wellness!
Dr. McQueen offers gum disease treatments that can help preserve your smile and quality of life.