TMJ Therapy in Brantford, ON
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, while TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. Both terms are often used to describe issues affecting the jaw joints, surrounding muscles, and associated nerves.
Jaw Pain is Not Normal
If jaw discomfort is part of your everyday life, it might feel routine, but it isn’t. Persistent jaw pain can be a sign of TMD, caused by inflammation or misalignment of one or both temporomandibular joints. These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, and when they’re under strain, they can cause pain, tightness, and a range of related symptoms.
Common Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)
- Frequent headaches
- Earaches or tenderness near the ear
- Jaw or facial pain and tenderness
- Muscle discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth fully
How do we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder?
Diagnosis
Treatment begins with a thorough clinical exam to assess your jaw, bite, teeth, and facial muscles. We check for tenderness, listen for joint noises, and evaluate how your jaw moves when you chew, speak, or swallow. If TMD is confirmed, a custom bite splint or night guard is often the first step.
Effective Treatment and Relief
A bite splint is a specially designed mouthpiece that fits over your upper or lower teeth. It helps prevent grinding and clenching, both common contributors to TMD, and can gently reposition your jaw to ease pressure on the joint. This reduces inflammation, relieves discomfort, and allows the joint to heal.
Alternative and Supportive Treatments
If TMD is linked to missing teeth or a misaligned bite, restorative dental work or orthodontics may be recommended. In some cases, adjusting the shape of specific teeth can help distribute bite forces more evenly, reducing strain on the jaw joint.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a condition where the jaw joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, leading to discomfort and functional issues.
Pain in the jaw joint, muscles, or around the ears; difficulty opening or closing the mouth; and clicking or grinding sounds are common. TMD can also be linked to headaches and neck pain.
Treatment options depend on the cause of your TMJ disorder. It could involve lifestyle changes, oral appliances, or in some cases, orthodontic treatments or surgery.
TMD is caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries and joint disease, such as arthritis. It’s believed that bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and head or neck muscle tension may make TMD symptoms worse. Stress is also a possible factor, but it is not clear if stress causes TMD or is a result. Other things that may lead to TMDs are partial or full dentures that are not the right fit and certain habits such as fingernail biting and pen or pencil biting. Because there are many causes, TMD can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms is to book an appointment with our Dentist in Brantford, Ontario.
It’s possible, but headaches have many causes. A physical examination is needed for an accurate assessment.
In most cases, no. Non-invasive treatments like bite splints, physiotherapy, and habit changes are effective. Surgery is only considered in rare situations.
