TMJ & TMD Treatment

Symptoms of TMJ

There are many symptoms that can be related to TMJ disorder. Some of the most common are found below.

• Pain (jaw, face, ears)
• Migraine-like headaches
• Pain and pressure behind eyes
• Pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth
• Jaw issues (feels out of joint, sore muscles)
• Swollen face

Though a clicking sound or sensation when opening and closing the mouth does not necessarily indicate TMJ issues, if it is accompanied by pain or by limited jaw function, TMJ may be the cause. In addition, pain may be felt in the cheeks and temples where jaw-closing muscles are located. Morning soreness and stiffness often means teeth are clenching and/or grinding at night.

Common causes of TMJ

Some of the most common causes of TMJ include:

• Injury or dislocation
• Teeth clenching (often from stress)
• Poor posture
• Disk erosion
• Arthritis
• Poor tooth or jaw alignment

Benefits of Treatment

Treating temporomandibular joint issues can resolve or lessen pain, swelling, and poor function surrounding the jaw and its muscles. Treatment with our team can relieve persistent TMJ symptoms such as headaches, a locked jaw, clicking when opening the mouth, and pain around the jaw joint.

Since TMJ can also cause long-term oral health issues like worn or decayed teeth as well as more serious joint damage, proper treatment is essential to maintaining good oral health. Treatment of TMJ can also allow you to eat the foods you enjoy without worrying about pain or poor jaw function, reduce the amount of pain medication you’ve been taking, and help increase your overall enjoyment of life.

Pursuing Treatment

We offer options to relieve and resolve TMJ concerns ranging from dental splints and relaxation techniques to specialized therapies and innovate treatment options. To determine which approach is best for you, we will conduct a detailed assessment of your condition. This will include symptom analysis, jaw and mouth evaluations, and discussions regarding your discomfort and needs.

Treatment Options

• Custom dental appliance – The use of a bite plate or splint to keep your upper teeth from grinding against your lower teeth
• Orthodontic treatment – Because TMJ is related to tooth and jaw alignment issues, sometimes orthodontic treatment can help resolve the symptoms
• Electromyography – EMG helps us determine the relaxed and stressed positions of your jaw and allows us to identify physical defects in the joint of the jaw
• MLS laser – The Multiwave Locked System is a form of laser therapy that helps reduce swelling, promote healing, and stimulate cellular metabolism. This has been shown to reduce the symptoms of TMJ disorder

Get Started

Contact us for a complimentary TMJ consultation. Our team of professionals will work with you to discover the treatment solution that best fits your needs. Don’t wait to find relief. Call for an appointment today!

Teeth Grinding & TMJ Treatment in Encinitas, CA

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction or syndrome arises when the muscles, teeth, and joints are out of alignment. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says that an estimated 10 million individuals experience jaw, head, and neck pain related to jaw disorders. Sinclair Smiles has had big success treating jaw disorders and TMJ symptoms, and we have experience treating bruxism. Come to our TMJ specialist near you to be evaluated and receive appropriate treatment.

TMJ Symptoms

When temporomandibular joints are not functioning properly, a person could have these symptoms:

• Clicking, popping, or cracking noises in the jaw joint when closing or opening the mouth
• Sore jaw muscles as well as joints, particularly after waking up
• Worn-down tooth edges and enamel
• Tooth sensitivity to brushing and cold temperatures
• A generalized tooth pain
• Clenching and grinding of teeth
• Locking jaw
• Difficulty biting or moving the jaw
• Ringing in the ears
• Headaches
• Broken or loose teeth, crowns, or bridges without any obvious reason

Our TMJ specialist in Encinitas will examine your teeth and jaw joints. We can provide teeth-grinding treatment if you grind or clench the jaw.

How Teeth Grinding Relates to TMJ

Misaligned TMJ joints can make the muscles and nerves overstimulate, leading to the above symptoms. Most patients with overworked facial muscles end up with teeth grinding. Teeth grinding results in significant tooth wear in addition to other bite problems. Seeking a bruxism specialist near you is paramount to avoid additional problems.

TMJ and Bruxism Treatment Options

Our dental office considers non-surgical treatment options for bruxism and TMJ disorder. We offer custom mouthguards that help reposition your jaw joints and resolve problems associated with grinding teeth in sleep. Wearing mouthguards may help retrain muscles to position and hold the jaw within the proper position. We also employ other treatment options that involve:

• Gently stretching the jaw and relaxation exercises that you can perform at home. You need these exercises if you have TMJ associated with stress or excessive gum chewing; the exercises can help offer temporary TMJ pain relief.
• Tooth reconstruction helps patients with collapsed bites after lost teeth aren’t replaced or when excessive enamel wear occurs. Our TMJ doctor near you does tooth reconstruction by restoring the teeth to their correct height, size, and shape to allow the jaws to align properly. As a result, you can get TMJ relief and a beautiful smile. Our dentist near you also provides traditional braces, or Invisalign® helps correct misaligned or crowded teeth.

Moreover, we may advise changing your oral habits, such as biting your nails and ice or chewing gum. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed when TMJ does not respond to non-invasive therapy, in which case, a TMJ specialist performs further tests.

If you need bruxism treatment near you or treatment for teeth grinding in Encinitas, CA, contact Sinclair Smiles today to get TMJ relief in Encinitas.