TMJ AND JAW DISORDER TREATMENT

Temporomandibular disorders occur in the temporomandibular joint, most commonly referred to as TMJ. While many people have come to believe the condition only affects the joint, the symptoms of the condition can radiate to other areas of the body to cause neck pain and shoulder pain. The symptoms of the condition are actually quite diverse, impacting the head, ears, neck, and shoulder. While the most common symptoms occur with the teeth and the joint itself, it’s important to learn how to treat jaw pain in Lawrenceburg IN to restore your quality of life. There are multiple forms of treatment available to resolve the discomfort.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ?

TMJ disorders can be caused from a wide degree of factors, such as injury or trauma to the jaw, joint or muscles of the head or neck. However, the disorder can also be caused from bruxism, which is grinding and clenching of the teeth. In some cases, the complications can result from the soft cushion or disk in the joint moving, arthritis, and stress that causes one to tighten the facial and jaw muscles. No matter the cause, the symptoms of the condition can be quite diverse.

The most common symptoms of the condition are pain and tenderness of the jaw and face, as well as neck pain and shoulder pain. The pain is often worse when eating, speaking, or opening and closing the mouth. In some cases, the jaw may lock into position when opening or closing the mouth. It’s not uncommon to hear a grinding or clicking sound when moving the joint. Overall, your face is likely to feel tired and you may begin to have difficulty chewing.

Other symptoms of the condition can radiate to the ears, causing an earache or ringing in the ears. You may feel dizzy, experience headaches of the temples, and even neck and shoulder pain. Often, tooth sensitivity will occur, especially when the condition is caused from bruxism.

Treatment for TMJ

There are multiple forms of treatment to resolve jaw pain in Lawrenceburg NJ. There are at-home exercises that can be used to help increase the mobility of the jaw; however, most people choose to use an oral appliance from their dentist. An oral appliance is custom-made to reposition the jaw into a more comfortable and relaxing position. This corrects how the jaw sits on the teeth when the mouth is closed to reduce pressure on the joint. For those who have TMJ due to bruxism, this will help treat the teeth grinding as well.

TMJ is a common condition that often goes undiagnosed due to the various symptoms it produces. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, we encourage you to come into our office for a consultation to learn the cause of your discomfort. We’ll identify the cause of your pain to provide the appropriate treatment to regain your quality of life.

Dr. Brian C. Oyler is your family dentist for jaw pain. Call (812) 221-1014 to schedule a consultation to stop the pain.