Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may feel normal to you. However, the truth is that jaw pain is far from normal and could be a symptom of a condition called TMD, caused by one or both of your TMJs. The Temporomandibular Joints are the joints of your lower jaw. When disease or misalignment occurs, these joints and the surrounding area become inflamed, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Headaches
- Earaches, tenderness around the ear
- Face or jaw pain and tenderness
- Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding of the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
What Are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
The treatment for TMD starts with a comprehensive clinical examination to assess your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will check for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Our treatment options include bite splints, custom made plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These devices prevent the grinding and clenching that often cause or worsen TMD. The splint also helps realign the jaw, relieving stress on the surrounding area.
Alternative Treatment Options
If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are the source of your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite places undue pressure on the TMJs, reshaping individual teeth to redistribute bite force more evenly may be suggested.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, it’s referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD.
Signs or symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, jaw joint, or muscles of the jaw, face, or temples. Other symptoms may include difficulty opening or closing your mouth, and clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding sounds when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth. TMD may also be associated with neck pain and headaches.
TMD can be caused by various factors, including jaw injuries and joint disease like arthritis. Bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and muscle tension in the head or neck may exacerbate TMD symptoms. Stress is also believed to be a factor, although it is unclear whether stress causes TMD or is a result of it. Other contributing factors include ill fitting partial or full dentures and habits like fingernail biting or pen/pencil chewing. Due to the range of possible causes, TMD can be difficult to diagnose. To better understand your symptoms, schedule an appointment with us.
Headaches can have many causes. No doctor can determine the cause of your headache without conducting a physical examination.
In most cases, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non invasive therapies and treatments. Surgery is only considered in very rare instances. We are committed to presenting all of your options, working through the safest and easiest solutions first, and allowing you to make the final decision regarding your treatment. A Dentist in North York, ON will guide you through the process and discuss the best approach for your individual needs.
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