Are you suffering from migraines, frequent headaches, jaw pain, or an aching pain 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 South Shore Dentistry, we have a variety of treatment options available for our patients who suffer from TMJ. Dr. Burt provides a complete evaluation of your jaw and mouth to determine the best treatment options for you. 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 temporomandibular joint are often referred to as simply, “TMJ” or “TMJ Disorder”.
Symptoms vary, but generally 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 jaws
- Uncontrolled change of facial expression
- Changes in how the upper and lower teeth fit together
What Causes TMJ?
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 South Shore Dentistry, Dr. Burt frequently uses cosmetic injection therapy to treat TMJ.
Anti-aging cosmetic injections are usually associated with cosmetic facial rejuvenation practices, such as reducing crows feet and other facial wrinkles. However, this type of injection has recently become an increasingly popular and effective TMJ treatment.
While some TMJ symptoms may improve on their own, anti-aging cosmetic injections offer fast and long-lasting relief from those that do not.
Anti-aging cosmetic injections can offer TMJ sufferers these benefits:
- Reduced head, 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
One of the biggest advantages of many of our patients experience is that normal functions such as biting, swallowing and speaking are left unaffected by the TMJ treatment. The only change is a reduction in the pain and discomfort TMJ disorder can bring.
At South Shore Dentistry we also offer customized mouthguards to patients who suffer from the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Mouthguards 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.
Schedule Your TMJ Treatment Consultation With South Shore Dentistry Today!
If you’re suffering from the symptoms of TMJ, give our local South Weymouth dental office 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 one of our South Weymouth dentists is 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!
South Shore Dentistry offers oral surgery services in a supportive, state-of-the-art atmosphere right here in our South Weymouth office.
