TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) is a misunderstood condition impacting many areas of life. At Guard Your Smile Dentistry, we advise that you start your relationship with our dental office early on the moment you suspect TMJ so that a proper exam can be done. TMJ symptoms can cause distraction and present a lot of pain. A TMJ dentist in Annapolis can help alleviate the pain and improve your quality of life.
Our jaw joint dentist in Annapolis will examine your mouth to check the joint’s current condition and what might be causing TMJ symptoms.
Common TMD Symptoms
According to a recent National Institute of Health study, an estimated nine million Americans regularly have TMJ pain. TMD symptoms include:
- Clicking, grating, or popping sounds in the jaw joints
- Pain about the head, face, and neck
- Frequent headaches within the temple area
- Deep pain in the jaw joint or locking up of the jaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Restricted ability to widely open the mouth or move it side to side
- Ringing noises within the ears or earaches
See a TMJ specialist near you if you notice several of these symptoms.
What Could Cause TMJ Pain
Many specialists are unaware of a link between the occlusion or bite and the neck and head pain among TMJ sufferers. When the points of contact of teeth are interfered with, the harmonious motion of the jaw joint is affected. There may be stress on the tendons and muscles around the jaw joint.
TMD patients will likely have bruxism or teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Stress among individuals may also contribute to TMJ pain.
Treating TMD
We provide nearby TMJ therapy for TMD symptoms after doing extensive exams to understand the cause. We use the least invasive treatments first before recommending more invasive treatments. Again, we work with a TMJ doctor near you to see that proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plans are ensured.
Treatment from a TMJ specialist in your area may include resting the joints and stabilizing the jaw joints with oral appliances that fit atop the teeth. These appliances are customized to help redistribute stress on the temporomandibular joints and the muscle system.
Injections for reducing inflammation and encouraging ligament repair may also help. Our dentist for TMJ treatment near you may work with a therapist to see that you get an appropriate massage to assist the oral appliance for better relief.
Correcting the occlusal alignment of teeth can improve the symptoms. Our dentist may suggest Invisalign® near you if TMJ symptoms arise from jaw and teeth misalignment. Our TMJ Annapolis dentist may use dental crowns, implant restorations, or veneers to restore a harmonious occlusion.
If you have unexplained jaw pain, migraine-like headaches, neck pain, or other TMJ-related symptoms, contact Guard Your Smile Dentistry to schedule a consultation with our local TMJ specialist.
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