Aug
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can be disruptive to your everyday life. From constant headaches and jaw pain to painful chewing, TMD can wreak havoc on your health. Many TMD sufferers spend months finding solutions through medications and general practitioners (GPs), but visiting a prosthodontist like Dr. Stephen Alfano in Newport Beach, California, can provide relief much faster.
Prosthodontists have a deeper understanding of the structures around your jaws, teeth, face, and mouth. So, when you present yourself at Balboa Island Dentistry with TMJ pain, Dr. Alfano will offer an effective diagnosis and treatment to manage pain.
You have two joints (TMJs) on either side of your face that aid in essential functions like eating, talking, yawning, and smiling. Healthy TMJs work seamlessly without pain. However, when your TMJ is inflamed, injured, or stressed, you may experience numerous unpleasant symptoms.
Some include:
Dental trauma and degenerative diseases like arthritis can trigger TMJ pain. However, the common cause of jaw pain is bruxism — chronic grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism loads pressure on your teeth and jaw joints, resulting in wear and tear. The tissues behind the TMJs (retrodiscal tissues) have many nerves, so once they are injured or inflamed, they cause untold pain and discomfort.
The objective of TMJ pain treatment is to unload the pressure on the jaw joints and allow them to heal. Depending on the cause of your jaw pain, Dr. Alfano may recommend a customized occlusal splint/orthotic device (night guard). This device snugly fits over the upper and lower teeth to control the interaction of these teeth to maintain a healthy position. Moreover, dental splints absorb the grinding forces, reducing pressure on the teeth and jaw joints.
Sometimes, you may need more than a night guard. Dr. Alfano may recommend jaw exercises, physical therapy, pharmacological treatments, and orthodontics, depending on the cause and severity of your condition. While TMJ pain is tricky, it’s no match for Dr. Alfano’s versatile treatments.
Balboa Island Dentistry in Newport Beach, CA, offers conservative yet effective TMJ treatments for a pain-free lifestyle. Call (949) 673-7820 to start your TMD treatment today!