TMJ

TMJ

Do you have recurring or constant jaw pain? Does jaw popping and clicking keep bothering you? Do you get frequent headaches? Has your regular physician been unable to help? If that’s the case, you might have temporomandibular joint disorders, called TMJ or sometimes TMD. These conditions can cause symptoms that might be annoying, disruptive, even disabling. Early noninvasive treatment can be effective, but if postponed the condition can worsen and might require more invasive treatment. We use occlusal splints and nightguards to reduce discomfort in your head and jaw, as well as reduce damage to your teeth.

If you are looking for a dentist who can treat TMJ in Hawkesbury, please call (02) 4501 7930 or book an appointment today with a dentist at Riverlands Dental in North Richmond.

Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ is currently not believed to be a single condition. Instead, it’s a group of closely related disorders, which are mostly linked by overlapping symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms of TMJ include: 
  • Jaw Pain 
  • Clicking or Popping Joint
  • Restricted Motion or Locked Jaw
  • Teeth Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism, Day or Night)
  • Advanced Tooth Wear
  • Headaches 
  • Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus) 
  • Earaches 
  • Vertigo 
  • Neck Pain 
  • Back Pain 
You might not experience more than one of these symptoms, but many people come in talking about one symptom, but didn’t realize others were connected. Fortunately, successful TMJ treatment can resolve all symptoms.
  • Is the Condition Called TMJ or TMD?

    Both! The condition was called TMJ for many years before some dentists writing scholarly papers decided TMJ made a convenient abbreviation for the joint. They then agreed to call the condition TMD. At our office, you can call it either.

  • Does Chewing Gum Cause TMJ?

    Chewing gum isn’t necessarily a cause of TMJ, but it can lead to TMJ symptoms in some people. Excessive chewing or biting hard objects (including fingernails) can also lead to TMJ symptoms.

Three Types of TMJ

We don’t have TMJ fully defined, but most agree that there are at least three different types of TMJ: 
  • Myofascial Pain Disorder (MPD) 
  • Disc Displacement (DD) 
  • Degenerative Joint Disorder (DJD) 
MPD is the most common type of TMJ. It may account for as much as 90% of all TMJ cases. In this disorder, overworked or tense jaw muscles hurt. They can also pass their stress on to other muscles, conveying headache pain throughout the head. This type of TMJ is also more likely to be associated with headaches, neck pain, and ear symptoms like tinnitus.  

DD occurs when the cushioning disc from the temporomandibular joint gets out of place. The popping and clicking noise in the joint is usually caused by the cushioning disc slipping into and out of place. This is usually associated with jaw sounds and restricted jaw motion.  

DJD is essentially arthritis of the temporomandibular joint, though it can be caused by many conditions.  

It is possible to have multiple types of TMJ at once.

An Occlusal Splint 

Occlusal splint is a fancy name for a bite guard or mouthguard. It’s like a sports mouthguard, but it’s designed to hold your jaw in a particular position that relaxes muscles, puts the cushioning disc in place, and relieves tension on the jaw joint. We can custom-make one for you that will help relieve your symptoms and stop progression of your disorder.

TMJ Treatment in Hawkesbury

If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms in Hawkesbury, we can help. A custom splint is a simple way to reduce your symptoms and protect your teeth and jaw.  

To talk to a dentist about your TMJ, please call (02) 4501 7930 or book an appointment today at Riverlands Dental in North Richmond.
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