TMJ & TMD Treatment
Jaw pain and trouble moving your jaw can be signs of a problem with your temporomandibular joint. Referred to as TMJ, the temporomandibular joint allow your jaw to move up, down and sideways. When there is an issue with this complex joint, it can cause pain and jaw dysfunction. TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, can be treated by a dental professional to relieve stress on the joint, improve function and minimize discomfort.
TMJ or TMD issues are common. Overuse or stress on the jaw joint can cause TMD. Jaw clenching, teeth grinding and excessive gum chewing can lead to TMD, or it can be caused by misalignments of the teeth or jaw. At Laguna West Dental Care, we offer customized treatments for TMD that help reduce the stress on the jaw joint. This can include repositioning the jaw with a mouthguard at night to protect it from teeth grinding or clenching. Other treatments may include orthodontics or dental treatments to restore alignment and eliminate excess stress on the jaw joint.
Jaw Pain, Facial Pain Relief
TMD has a variety of symptoms, often affecting each patient differently. Jaw and facial pain are common, but not everyone has localized symptoms. Some of the common signs of TMD include:
- Clicking, popping or grinding sound when opening/closing the jaw
- Difficulty or pain when chewing or moving the jaw
- Ear aches or ringing in the ears
- Headaches
- Neck pain
If you have TMD, there are options to give you relief and protect your jaw. The dental team at Laguna West Dental Care can perform a comprehensive exam and determine if you have TMD and offer treatment options. A customized mouthguard, bite alignment, tooth repairs and other treatments can help reduce jaw joint stress and give you relief. Contact our office in Elk Grove to schedule your dental exam.