TMD Treatments

TMD

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) occurs when there are problems with the joint connecting the lower jaw to the base of the skull. It’s responsible for moving the lower jaw down, forward, backward and sideways. Any problem that prevents this complex arrangement of muscles, ligaments and bone from working normally is called TMD. When this happens, often the jaw may pop, click, lock or even get stuck. The exact cause of this misalignment is often difficult to pinpoint. Let the dentists at Preston Smiles diagnose and reduce your discomfort today.

TMJ occurs when the complex joint that “hinges” your upper and lower jaw does not work well.

What are the symptoms?
There are many signs and symptoms, as they may be present in other medical problems. Our dentists at Preston Smiles can help make a proper diagnosis by taking a complete medical and dental history, conducting a clinical examination and taking appropriate radiographs.

The most common TMD symptoms are:

• Headaches, earaches including migraine and tension headaches
• Clicking or popping on opening and closing your jaw
• Jaws that get stuck, lock or are painful during opening or chewing
• Tenderness of the jaw muscles
• Increased size and Protrusion of the jaw muscles
• Sudden change in bite

Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no single cure for TMD. We may recommend one of the following to reduce your symptoms dramatically:

• Eliminate muscle spasm and pain by applying moist heat or taking medication such as muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Reducing the harmful effects of clenching and grinding by wearing an appliance, sometimes called a occlusal splint. Custom-made to fit your mouth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and keeps them from grinding against the lower teeth, clenching, grinding
• Learning relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw.
• TMD Injectables
• Jaw joint surgery