If you’ve experienced severe facial pain, you know there’s nothing that compares to the pain associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When this pain occurs regularly and chronically, it can mean that you have developed a disorder called temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Fortunately, as your dentist, we can help treat your TMD. At Crater Lake Dental, we’ll examine your mouth, jaw, bite, and alignment to determine whether you suffer from TMD. We’ll then be able to help find the best ways to treat your TMD and help you get the relief you need.
TMD And Its Symptoms
Temporomandibular disorder happens when your temporomandibular joint is out of alignment. This misalignment can cause multiple issues. You will probably experience pain or discomfort in your jaw or an array of other signs and symptoms, including one or more of the following:
- Facial pain or tenderness.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Frequent headaches or migraines.
- Toothaches.
- Earaches.
- Neck aches.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
- Pain in the shoulder area.
- Problems with your hearing.
- Jaw locking when you open or close your mouth.
- Tired feeling in your face and especially in your jaw.
- Popping or clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth.
- Pain in and around your jaw, shoulders, neck, or ears when you speak, eat, or yawn.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, we can provide an accurate diagnosis.
TMD Diagnosis
Please visit us as soon as possible if you believe your TMJ is out of alignment. We’ll perform a thorough exam in which we’ll ask you a series of questions to help determine the cause of your symptoms.
During the exam, we’ll also check for pain or tenderness in your jaw, listen for clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth. We may even take x rays to analyze your joint and jaw alignment.
We need to properly diagnose the cause of your symptoms in order to treat your condition correctly.
TMD Treatment
Many times behavioral changes can help reduce or alleviate your TMD. For example, high stress levels can cause you to clench your jaw. We can teach you relaxation techniques or recommend hot or cold compresses to treat your stress-related issues.
We can also provide you with a night guard to wear while you are sleeping. This guard will prevent you from clenching or grinding your teeth during the night, which is a common cause of TMD symptoms.
Sometimes changing your bite through dental work can be the solution to your TMD. You may need a crown, a bridge, or your teeth may need to be straightened and realigned to provide lasting relief from this condition.
Relieve Your Facial Pain at Crater Lake Dental
The signs and symptoms of TMD are painful and can be debilitating. If you are suffering from this malady, please give us a call and let us get you the relief you need.