Do you suffer from chronic headaches or neck pain? Do your jaw joints click or pop and create tension behind your ears or eyes? You may be suffering Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain, otherwise known as Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD). This is a common condition that many people deal with daily. Donsdale Dental is here to help! We are pleased to offer TMJ/TMD treatment options to alleviate your pain and discomfort, and help you attain optimum oral health.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull on both sides of your head. This joint is responsible for the opening and closing of your mouth, as well as moving your jaw from side to side. Most of the time the TMJ works well and causes no problems. Other times however, problems occur with the TMJ, which can cause severe pain and affect your overall health.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) concern problems associated with the jaw movement and pain in and around the jaw. For some people, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) becomes stressed or overworked, which can lead to TMD. Bruxism, which presents as clenching or grinding of the teeth, is a common form of TMD.
Due to the wide variety of symptoms, finding the right treatment can be complicated and can involve several health care professionals including physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, etc. With a proper diagnosis, we may be able to determine the root cause of your problems and then work with you to develop a customized treatment plan for your specific needs. The dedicated team at Donsdale Dental will come up with a tailored treatment plan specific to you and your symptoms. The goal is to help relieve the pain and address the damage associated with your TMD. Donsdale Dental will discuss all of your options with you, and help you choose the best course of action based on your specific case.
If you suffer from Bruxism, a custom night guard or splint may be prescribed. A bruxism night guard, or grinding appliance as it is often called, is an acrylic dental appliance that is worn over the upper or lower teeth to relax the jaw and help ease the pain associated with any misalignment. The grinding appliance also helps to protect the teeth from the physical wear and tear that results from the constant teeth grinding of bruxism or clenching, so that instead of wearing down your teeth, you bite against the appliance instead. The appliance is custom made to fit your mouth specifically, and it will be specially designed based on the severity of your condition; the more you grind, the harder the appliance will be.
