If you suffer from significant discomfort or pain in the joints of your jaw, notice a clicking or popping sound when opening or closing your mouth, or suffer from regular headaches, you might have TMD. Paramount Dental is pleased to offer treatment for TMJ/TMD pain.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to problems associated with jaw movement and pain in and around the joints of the jaw. The jaw joints, or temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the lower jawbone to the skull. You might have TMJ if you notice a popping or clicking sound when you open and close your jaw. If teeth are misaligned, or your bite position is faulty, there will be additional strain on the neck and head muscles, joints, and the teeth. After a while, this can lead to symptoms like chronic headaches, jaw pain, soreness, and muscle spasms. You might also experience neck and back issues as your body tries to compensate.
Paramount Dental is committed to determining how to make the jaw and its associated structures function normally so that the associated pain and discomfort can be eliminated. Once TMJ/TMD is diagnosed, the first step in treatment will often be a custom night guard or splint. The aim is to see whether realigning the jaw and preventing jaw clenching will alleviate the symptoms. This custom made, hard, plastic dental device is worn over the upper or lower teeth to help realign the jaw and alleviate the pain associated with any misalignment. It also helps protect the teeth so that you bite against the guard or splint rather than your teeth. Splints and night guards have been shown to provide relief of TMJ symptoms and are usually the first attempt at treatment before digging deeper for an alternative treatment.
We also offer neuromodulators such as Botox/Xeomin/Dysport for the treatment of TMD and Bruxism (Grinding and clenching). The drug is administered to the masseter or major chewing muscle to relax it, and to prevent patients from grinding and clenching their teeth. This can protect your teeth and jaw at all times of the day and night and provide extremely effective long-term relief from TMD symptoms. The effects usually last between 3-6 months. This has been an effective treatment for patients with jaw pain and tension and headaches.
We invite you to book an appointment with Paramount Dental to review your symptoms and discuss possible solutions and treatment for your TMJ/TMD pain.
