TMJ
Treating TMD One Headache at a Time
The jaw joint, also known as the temporomandibular joint (or TMJ), connects the lower jaw to the temporal skull bones directly in front of the ear on each side of the head. It acts like a hinge and is used in activities such as talking and eating. TMJ Disorder (TMD) is a general term used to describe issues with the jaw joint and the muscles attached to it. The tension in the jaw muscles can lead to headaches, neck pain and other symptoms. There can be many causes behind jaw joint issues, including bite misalignment, teeth grinding and injury. At A+ Family Dentistry, we handle many TMD cases. If your TMJ trouble is caused by grinding or clenching your teeth or by poor bite alignment, our doctors can help correct the problem with a state-of-the-art night guard or by altering the chewing surfaces of your teeth to improve your bite.
What Is Dental Crown Lengthening?
Dental crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes excess gum tissue—and sometimes a small amount of bone—to expose more of your natural tooth. This can:
- Improve smile symmetry
- Enables proper placement of crowns or fillings
- Enhance the aesthetics of your smile
It’s a simple, effective treatment that brings both cosmetic and functional benefits.
Symptoms of a malfunctioning TMJ
ypical symptoms of TMJ Disorder (TMD) are:
- Facial pain or tenderness around the jaw joint area
- Difficulty opening the mouth very wide
- Jaws that get “locked”
- Clicking, grating, or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth
- Headaches
- Toothaches
- Earaches
- Difficulty chewing
- Neck pain
- Upper shoulder pain
- Ringing in the ears
Causes of TMJ problems
- Stress. Stress can get people into the habit of tightening their facial and jaw muscles or clenching their teeth.
- Arthritis. When arthritis is in the jaw joint, it can cause a number of problems, including TMJ problems.
- Trauma. Dental trauma can be a potential cause of TMJ disorder. Any injury to the jaw or the teeth can cause damage to this joint.
- Misaligned bite. A misaligned bite means your teeth are not coming together properly. Examples of this are an overbite or underbite. A poor bite causes stress on the muscles and nerves involved in moving the jaw in chewing. This pain can also be “referred” to other parts of the head and neck. Reasons for a misaligned bite include inherited jaw misalignments, injury or broken-down or worn teeth.
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism). Grinding or clenching your teeth, which patients often do unknowingly in their sleep, can cause a lot of pressure on the TMJ.
- Dislocation of the joint from the socket. If your TMJ is dislocated from its socket, it means that the mandibular condyle has moved out of its normal position in the temporal bone socket. This can be a painful and serious condition that requires immediate attention from a dental or medical professional.
Treating TMJ Issues
Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation. The doctor will perform a head and neck exam and check for clicking, popping or jaw pain, then inspect the teeth and jaw for irregularities. Depending on your individual situation, the doctor will recommend the appropriate appliance or do a bite adjustment, or both.
- Night guard. A night guard is a plastic mouthpiece custom-designed for your mouth and worn while you are sleeping. It is used to alleviate grinding and clenching of the teeth by preventing the upper and lower teeth from touching, and it corrects the bite by bringing the jaws into a better position. The result is less tension in the jaw joints.
- Bite adjustment. The doctor may perform a treatment called occlusal equilibration to adjust the bite. In this procedure, the doctor alters how the patient’s upper and lower teeth bite together by reshaping the chewing surfaces of some or all of the teeth.
Give A+ Family Dentistry a Call Today!
The path to a pain-free jaw is closer than you think. To make an appointment, call one of our three convenient San Diego County locations today. Our team would be more than happy to talk with you about safe and effective treatments for TMJ disorder!
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From the patients who know us best.
We're proud of the relationships we build — here's what our San Diego, Sorrento Valley, and Poway patients are saying.
"A+ dentistry has been awesome! I hadn't been to the dentist in over a year, so they took a full scan of my mouth and explained in detail every step I should take to improve my hygiene and any procedures they recommended. They were transparent on each service and did not try to sell me anything."
"10/10. The best dentist I've ever been to, and I've been to quite a few considering I move around a lot. Dr. Victor, Jahaida, and staff are very kind. They take pretty good care of you."
"I've been coming to A+ for years for cleanings, fillings, and Invisalign. Everyone has been amazing, from the dental hygienists to dental assistants, the doctors and the front desk staff."
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"If you're looking for the best, you found it. I feel very lucky that my wife and I found this practice. They have an amazing staff and the latest and greatest technology."