Do you ever experience pain in your jaw? Have you ever woken up with sore jaw muscles? If so, you might have TMJ Disorder, otherwise known as temporomandibular joint syndrome.

1. What Is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint is damaged or injured, it can lead to a disorder called TMJ syndrome (also known as TMD). In addition to experiencing jaw pain or sore jaw muscles, TMJ sufferers may also have symptoms that include:

• Jaw clicking sounds
• Ear pain or popping sounds in the ears
• Headaches
• Pain in the temple area
• Jaw locking

2. How Is Someone Diagnosed with TMJ Disorder?

A diagnosis of TMJ Disorder is primarily based on a patient’s history and a clinical examination of the head and neck. Sometimes images of the teeth and jaws are used as a diagnostic tool.

At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry we can reliably diagnose TMJ at our office by examining your teeth and jaw, testing your bite, and taking X-rays to study your jaw.

3. What Treatment Options Exist for TMJ Sufferers?

Most experts recommend conservative, non-surgical treatments to address TMJ, opting to use surgery as a final resort. If you suffer from TMJ, the following suggestions may provide you with some relief:

• Apply moist heat or cold packs for about 5 minutes to your jaw muscles after doing some gentle stretching exercises
• Eat softer foods, avoiding hard, crunchy items and things like chewing gum
• Use medications to alleviate jaw pain. For instance, the Cleveland Clinic reports that over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin and Ibuprofen can help with muscle pain and swelling.
• Night guards prevent upper and lower teeth from coming together, reducing clenching and grinding. They also correct patients’ bites, putting the teeth in an optimal position

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4. How Does Lane & Associates Treat Patients with TMJ?

Most people do not typically associate TMJ treatment with their dentist, but that is probably the first place a TMJ sufferer should start. At Lane & Associates, we can reliably diagnose and treat TMJ. Furthermore, if you have any missing teeth or bite problems that are contributing to your jaw pain, we can provide corrective dental treatments to offer you some relief.

Most importantly, we can create a custom night-guard for you that will help:

• Eliminate your teeth grinding
• Eradicate morning lock jaw
• Alleviate jaw popping sounds
• Relieve jaw tension and pain
• Improve your jaw mobility, making chewing more comfortable
• Protect teeth enamel from wear
• Reduce tooth loss associated with persistent grinding

If caught early enough, we can treat your TMJ jaw pain in a relatively short period of time. In addition to the mouthguard, we may also recommend stress-reduction techniques and other non-invasive approaches.

5. How Can I Schedule a TMJ Consultation with Lane & Associates Family Dentistry?

Scheduling a TMJ consultation with us is easy. Simply fill out our contact us form below and we will reach out to you with available appointments. We look forward to working with you!