TMJ: Treatment for temporomandibular joint

PAIN OR CLICKING IN YOUR JAW?

We also ask you to report any anomalies or irregularities in your mouth, jaws, etc., to enable us to provide timely treatments. If you’re experiencing issues like tenderness in your jaws, facial pains, locked jaws, etc., you might be suffering from a TMJ disorder. Please schedule an appointment with our dentists for the immediate diagnosis and treatment of TMJ in Bakersfield, California.

WHAT IS TMJ?

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) refers to the joints located on either side of the head connecting the jaws to the skull. The TMJ is one of the most important joints in your facial anatomy because it facilitates most jaw-related movements, allowing you to chew, talk, etc. However, disorders in the TMJ, referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD), lead to chronic facial pains in the ear, jaws, etc. According to studies, approximately 15% of all Americans suffer from TMJ-associated pains.

SIGNS OF TMJ DISORDERS:

• Earaches.
• Jaw pains.
• Facial pains.
• Shoulder pains.
• Headaches.
• Tender jaws.
• Inability to move your mouth.
• Difficulty while speaking, chewing, yawning, etc.
• Locked jaws.
• Gum sensitivity.
• Dental sensitivity.
• Misaligned teeth.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Dizziness.
• Muscle fatigue in the face.
• Clicking or popping jaws.

​TMJ DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

TMJ disorder can occur due to various underlying causes, including facial trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), connective tissue disease, etc. At Valley Grace Dental, we use the latest diagnostic technologies to identify the root cause of your TMJ disorders to curate the ideal treatment plan. We review your medical history, examine your oral anatomy, conduct diagnostic tests, and discuss your symptoms to narrow down the potential causes of TMJ.

Following the diagnosis, we curate a comprehensive treatment plan to address the underlying root cause and superficial symptoms of TMJ. Our TMJ treatment plan usually consists of some combination of medications and therapeutic treatments, and we only recommend surgical intervention in the most severe cases.

In most cases, we treat TMJ disorders using pain relaxation medications, mouth guards, oral splints, orthodontic treatments, jaw strengthening exercises, and other non-surgical methods.

Nightguards and mouthguards are particularly useful for individuals suffering from TMD caused by bruxism (teeth grinding). Individuals with bruxism persistently grind and clench their teeth, often subconsciously, placing excessive pressure on the TMJ. As such, a night guard or mouthguard creates a soft barrier between the teeth to prevent them from gnashing against each other, reducing the damage caused by teeth grinding. We customize nightguards and mouthguards according to your unique dental anatomy for maximum effectiveness.

TMJ TREATMENT AT VALLEY GRACE DENTAL

At Valley Grace Dental, we aim to treat your TMJ and other dental concerns using the least invasive solutions possible. If you’re experiencing the signs or symptoms of TMJ in Bakersfield or the surrounding areas, please schedule an appointment with our dentists today.