Do you often wake up with migraines? Does your jaw pop or click when you eat? You may have TMJ. TMJ disorders are caused when the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull, is injured.
This joint dysfunction can lead to pain and sensitivity in the teeth, jaw, and face. We provide TMJ treatment to patients in Ellicott City, MD. At Halliburton Family Dentistry, Dr. Denise Halliburton helps patients receive restorative dentistry solutions, whether they have tooth wear, damage, or loss.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
Common signs of TMJ disorders often include:
- Jaw clenching
- Teeth grinding
- Neck and ear pain
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Muscle spasms
- Jaw pain
- Toothaches
Please contact our office if you have noticed any of these symptoms. We will examine your smile and determine the best treatment options for your needs. TMJ disorders are often caused by stress, joint or cartilage damage, or an uneven bite.
What Causes TMJ?
A number of different things can cause TMJ. One of the main things we do for treatment is to try to determine the root cause. If we determine that, then we know the best ways to treat you to ensure that things go well. One of the most common causes is stress. You tend to grind or clench your teeth more when you’re stressed. The more you clench or grind your teeth, the bigger the impact on your jaw joint. The disc in the joint that allows it to track smoothly gets worn down by clenching and grinding.
An uneven bite is another big factor. If your teeth aren’t straight and your jaw is misaligned, it’s not moving in the joint the way that it normally would. Trauma can play a part as well. It can make a bite uneven if it wasn’t before. It can dislodge the disc in the joint, which is crucial for smooth joint movement.
If you have conditions like arthritis, that causes the bone to degenerate. The bones continue to degenerate over time, which can make the condition worse.
TMJ Treatment Options
Patients with mild TMJ symptoms can complete jaw exercises to manage their TMJ. We also recommend that patients with jaw stress eat soft foods, use ice packs, and take pain medications to help manage their symptoms. Sometimes the mildest forms of TMJ can be reversed with these treatments.
Our team can also provide patients with nightguards or custom oral appliances that are worn during sleep. Nightguards are created using each patient’s unique dental impressions to keep their teeth from grinding together at night. They prevent headaches, facial pain, tooth damage, and bruxism caused by TMJ disorders. Custom nightguards also help keep the teeth and jaw in the right position.
If you have worn, broken, or damaged teeth as a result of your TMJ symptoms, we recommend dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and tooth crowns. These treatments cover and protect teeth as well as enhance their appearance.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Are your teeth worn from grinding? Do you have frequent jaw pain? Receive TMJ therapy at Halliburton Family Dentistry today. Call Dr. Halliburton at 443.232.0656 or schedule a dental consultation with her on our website. Dr. Halliburton treats patients from Elkridge, Columbia, Ellicott City, and other areas in Howard County, Maryland.