TMJ PAIN & HEADACHES

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KDental Frisco is Partnered with Headache, TBI, & Memory Research Institute to provide  specialized TMJ pain in Frisco ,TMJ pain in Plano and other headaches services.

 Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ) is  a common condition affecting a wide variety of people. TMJ is  characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding  teeth, and an intermittent ringing in the ears. The vast majority of  TMJ sufferers are unaware that the root cause of these problems is  something that a dentist can effectively treat.

The symptoms of TMJ are debilitating and can  greatly interfere with every day life. The comfort and general well  being of the patient is at the heart of the dental practice, so pain  relief is the first consideration of the dentist. The dentist is able to  test, diagnose, and devise an immediate plan to treat the underlying  causes of the TMJ disorder.

For most people with temporomandibular joint disorders, the cause is  unknown. Research has provided some potential causes for this condition,  but they have not yet been consistently proven. These include:

• Dental malocclusion or orthodontic braces
• Prolonged Stress and or tension
• Grinding or clinching of the teeth.
• Poor posture, i.e. forward head while working all day or looking at a computer for long periods of time
• Strain of face and neck muscles
• Having the mouth open for long periods of time
• Poor diet, eating habits, long term gum chewing
• Lack of sleep
• TMJ disk dislocation
• trauma or a blow to the face.
• subtle repeated traumas, like clenching the teeth or excessive gum  chewing, nail biting or cradling a phone between your shoulder and the  side of the head constant muscle spasm of jaw musculature
• developmental abnormalities of bones, joints, and/or muscles

Reason to treating TMJ

• TMJ sufferers report that their symptoms  generally worsen during periods of prolonged or unexpected stress, and  that intense outbreaks of the condition can lead to neck pain and  dizziness.
• The most common cause of TMJ is the misalignment  of the teeth, often called “bad bite.” It is possible for the dentist to  realign or adjust the teeth without the need for painful or expensive  surgeries. The realignment/adjustment will stop the pounding headaches,  the jaw pain, and the dizziness.
• The grinding teeth symptom is particularly common  and usually occurs at night. The grinding will eventually erode the  structure of the teeth and lead to much more severe dental problems in  the future. Untreated TMJ is one of the prime underlying factors in  eroded jawbones and loose teeth.

What does treating TMJ involve?

TMJ could be a result of several different  problems. Bad bite is the most common, but an injury resulting from a  blow to the meniscus cartilage is also a possibility.

 Initially, the  dentist will thoroughly examine the jaw area, the patient’s bite, take  X-rays, and review the patient’s history in order to make an accurate  diagnosis and recommend necessary treatment.

Once a firm diagnosis is attained, there are  several ways in which relief can be provided. A specially molded bite  guard can be created to stop teeth grinding during the night. A bite  relationship analysis may be recommended by the dentist. The dentist can  also provide advice on relaxation techniques which will lessen the  effects of stress. As a last alternative, the dentist is also able to  prescribe muscle relaxants.

A better option is to change the shape of the  teeth and get rid of the bad bite completely, often called  “realignment.” This is especially useful because it alleviates TMJ  symptoms and may improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth as well.  Realignment involves adjusting the relationship between how the upper  teeth come together with the lower teeth. This may require new  restorations and/or adjusting the natural teeth as well. It is not a  painful procedure, and it is one the dentist has performed with great  success numerous times. As with any procedure, the dentist will be happy  to answer questions and discuss symptoms, options, and treatments.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of TMJ, we encourage you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment.