Jaw pain can be more than just a minor inconvenience. It can impact your life in ways ranging from a dull, constant ache to not being able to enjoy your favorite foods. If you experience clicking, popping, or locking with your jaw, you may be suffering from a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Fortunately, you do not have to continue living with pain. Professional TMJ treatment is available here in Magna, Utah.
In this article, we will talk about TMJ disorder, its symptoms, and the treatment options available to you. We will discuss everything from lifestyle changes to custom dental solutions that can give you long-lasting relief.
What is TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint is a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have one on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders, also known as TMD, can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control your jaw movement.
The cause of an individual’s TMJ disorder can be difficult to pinpoint. Your pain may be the result of a number of factors working in combination, such as genetics, arthritis, or a jaw injury. Clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxism) has been seen in some people with jaw pain, but many people who clench their teeth never develop TMJ disorders.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Symptoms of TMJ disorders are quite varied, as each person will present with their own set of symptoms. The first step in getting the help you need is identifying that you have the disorder.
Some common symptoms include:
• Jaw, face, neck or shoulder pain or tenderness
• Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or suddenly having an uncomfortable bite
• Locking of the joint that prevents opening or closing the mouth
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Earaches or feeling of fullness in the ear
• Swelling on one side of the face
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and cause major disruptions to your daily life. Disruptions like turning simple tasks such as eating, talking, and even yawning into painful undertakings. If you leave them untreated, your symptoms can develop into chronic pain and can cause even more damage to your joint over time.
The Importance of Professional Diagnosis
It’s very easy to look at your symptoms and think you know what’s wrong, but self-diagnosis is rarely a good idea. There are a lot of conditions that can cause the same symptoms as TMJ disorder. To make sure you get the right treatment, you should get the right diagnosis from a professional in Magna. A physical examination is usually enough to diagnose TMJ disorder. Your provider will assess the range of motion of your jaw, listen to it and feel around the area for signs of pain.
Your Magna specialist may recommend taking a dental X-ray, a CT scan or an MRI to get a better look at your jawbone, joint and surrounding tissue. Getting the right diagnosis will make sure you get the right treatment for the cause of your pain.
Effective TMJ Treatment Options in Magna, Utah
The good news is that there are a number of treatments that can help control and relieve TMJ pain. Your Magna specialist will work with you to identify the most appropriate combination of therapies for your individual needs. Often, treatment begins with more conservative methods and progresses to more advanced care if necessary.
Non-Invasive Therapies and Home Remedies
A number of patients find great relief through conservative treatment options and home remedies.
- Lifestyle Modifications: A few simple lifestyle modifications may be all that you need to help control your symptoms. Consider eating soft foods to help rest the jaw, avoiding excessive chewing (such as chewing gum), and learn ways to reduce stress as stress and tension may cause you to clench your jaw.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can guide you in exercises that will help stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles, while applying other treatments such as ultrasound, moist heat, and ice to reduce pain and improve jaw movement.
- Oral Splints or Mouth Guards: Oral appliances that are fitted by your dentist can be extremely effective. Most of these are worn at night and help to reposition the jaw to a more beneficial position. Moreover, it will also prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth that increases pressure on the joint.
Advanced Dental Solutions
If the above treatments aren’t possible or don’t provide relief, your dental professional might suggest more advanced procedures:
- Bite Correction (Occlusal Adjustment): A misaligned bite can place excess strain on one side of your jaw joints. Minor modifications to the contact surfaces of your teeth can help them meet evenly when you bite down, which distributes your bite force more evenly and relieves pressure on the TMJ.
- Orthodontics: If crooked teeth are the root cause of your TMJ disorder, correcting the alignment of your teeth with braces or clear aligners might be recommended. Consequently, straight teeth allow for a healthier, more stable bite that places less pressure on your jaw joints.
- Restorative Dentistry: Restoring missing teeth or replacing worn-down teeth with crowns and bridges can also help reestablish a balanced bite and improve jaw function.
When is Surgery an Option?
Surgical treatment of TMJ disorders is generally considered a last resort after all other options have been explored. Procedures can range from minimally invasive to open-joint surgery to repair or replace the joint. Moreover, your Magna specialist will only recommend surgery after a comprehensive evaluation and discussion of whether it’s the most appropriate option for your specific case.
Find a TMJ Treatment Solution Near Magna, UT
You don’t have to suffer from jaw pain. There are many TMJ treatment solutions for patients living in Magna, UT. Treatment for jaw pain starts with a proper diagnosis and can involve conservative methods, oral appliances, or surgery. Many people find relief through a combination of treatments.
Are you looking for quality TMJ treatment in Magna, UT? Explore your treatment options at Cyprus Family Dental. Please contact us today by calling (801) 250-0203 or book an appointment online. In conclusion, if you are in pain or have limited jaw movement, don’t ignore the symptoms of TMJ disorder. Schedule an appointment today!
Come see us! We’re located at:
3505 South 8400 West Ste 201
Magna, UT 84044