TMD Treatment
The most common symptom of TemperoMandibular Disorder is chronic headaches, but there are numerous other symptoms that can help us to correctly diagnose the condition and ensure that you’ll receive the proper treatment. These disorders can be related to stress tension, poor posture, or dental issues like damaged teeth or an overbite. Most patients with TMJ (TemperoMandibular Joint) problems will experience migraine headaches, which are often treated by a prescription that may relieve the pain but doesn’t address the primary cause of the problem. Other TMD symptoms may include:
- Jaw, face, neck, and/or shoulder pain
- Headaches of varying intensity, especially in the area around the temples
- Popping, clicking, or “rice crispy” noises in the jaw joint
- Deep jaw pain
- Difficulty opening your mouth or manipulating the jaw from side to side
As a result of TMJ problems, you may also experience related problems including poor posture, sleep disorders, or the unexpected fracture of teeth, fillings, or existing crowns.
There are many possible causes of TMD. These include poor alignment of your bite, clenching or grinding your teeth, trauma to your head or neck, chronic inflammatory diseases, and jaw malformations. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms, but we will do a thorough head and neck exam to evaluate your jaw and its related muscles, evaluate your teeth for wear and other signs of grinding/clenching, and use this information to decide on the best possible treatment for you.