TMJ Disorders
Do you often wake up with jaw pain? Is it common for you to experience headaches throughout the day? Does it hurt when you yawn, chew, or laugh? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have a TMJ disorder. The good news is that our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists, offer treatment for TMJ disorders so you don’t have to put up with the pain for long.
Here’s what you need to know about TMJ treatment.
Do I Have a TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder has the ability to make your life miserable. Simple tasks like being able to chew your food can become painful and make your jaws sore. If you suspect you have a TMJ disorder, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with one of our Ann Arbor TMJ dentists as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:
- Pain or discomfort while chewing
- Jaw soreness
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw locking
- Pain in one or both of your temporomandibular joints
- Pain in and around your ear
- Muscle spasms in the jaw
If you recognize any of the above symptoms, please call Liberty Dental for an appointment. The sooner we’re able to reach a TMJ diagnosis, the sooner you’ll be able to find and other symptoms.
won’t go away on their own. The time to seek dental treatment is now before your pain worsens. Treating TMJ dysfunction can open the door to a life no longer dominated by facial discomfort and difficulty opening or closing your mouth.
How Do You Treat TMJ Disorders?
Your TMJ treatment will depend on the cause of your pain and discomfort. Though it will require a thorough examination to identify specifically what’s influencing your condition, common culprits include:
- Jaw injuries
- Arthritis
- Chronic teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- Misalignment of the jaw or teeth (known as malocclusion)
- Stress (increases muscle tension and jaw clenching)
- Hormonal changes
- Connective tissue diseases
Many patients are able to relieve their symptoms by wearing a custom night guard or bite splint that prevents their upper and lower teeth from making contact. This is especially helpful if the patient grinds or clenches their teeth at night, which exerts pressure on the temporomandibular joints. The TMJ bite splint acts as a barrier to protect teeth from wear and reduce stress on those very jaw muscles.
Request an Appointment with Us
Our , are accepting new patients and would be more than happy to welcome you to our practice. To request an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for TMJ treatment, please call Liberty Dental at (734) 994-0909. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.