Jaw Pain is Not Normal
Jaw Pain is a disruptive part of your daily life, it might feel normal, but it’s not. Jaw pain often indicates a condition known as TMJ disorder (TMD), affecting one or both of your temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull. When there’s a misalignment or disease, these joints and surrounding areas become inflamed, leading to pain and other symptoms.
If you are seeking TMJ therapy in Toronto, we offer comprehensive care to help reduce pain and restore the proper function of your jaw joints. Our treatments are designed to alleviate discomfort, reduce muscle spasms, and ensure your jaw operates smoothly. Whether you need muscle relaxants, physical therapy, or the expertise of an oral surgeon, we are here to provide the best possible care for your TMJ condition. Don’t let TMJ issues disrupt your life; seek treatment today to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
What are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
- Headaches
- Earaches, tenderness around the ear
- Facial pain or jaw pain and tenderness
- Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?
Diagnosis
TMJ treatment starts with a comprehensive clinical examination to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we look for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If TMJ disorders are diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Our treatment involves bite splints, and custom-created plastic mouthpieces designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These devices prevent grinding and clenching, which often causes or worsens TMJ pain. The splint also realigns the jaw, reducing stress on the surrounding area.
Alternative Treatment Options
If a misaligned bite or missing teeth causes your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite places undue pressure on the TMJ, we might suggest reshaping individual teeth to redistribute the bite force evenly.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. When this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, it results in Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD.
Symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face, or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth and a clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding noise when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches.
TMD results from various factors like jaw injuries and joint diseases, such as arthritis. Bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and muscle tension in the head or neck may exacerbate TMD symptoms. Stress is also a potential factor, although it is unclear if stress causes TMD or results from it. Other contributors to TMD include ill-fitting dentures and habits such as fingernail biting and chewing gum. Due to these varied causes, TMD can be challenging to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms is to book an appointment for a proper diagnosis.
There are many possible causes of headaches. A physical examination is necessary for a doctor to determine the cause of your headaches.
Most TMJ pain can be treated with non-invasive therapies. In very rare cases, TMD may require surgery. Your health and happiness are important to us. We will present all your options, prioritize the safest and easiest treatments first, and allow you to decide on the next steps.
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