A lot of work goes into your jaw’s movement. Muscles supply the tension that lifts or lowers your mandible (lower jaw), which relies on a pair of complex joints, known as TMJs, to properly pivot. The work is made fairly easy when your teeth and jaw are properly aligned. However, when alignment and other issues cause undue pressure on your jaw, the temporomandibular joints can suffer damage, become inflamed, be forced out of alignment, or more. The resulting pain from TMJ disorder can be severe, even debilitating, so we take care to customize your TMJ management for maximum results and relief.
Diagnosis
Like bruxism, TMJ disorder can result from a number of different causes. In fact, the term TMJ disorder can refer to several different conditions that affect your jaw joints and muscles. Because the symptoms can also vary, diagnosis may sometimes be more challenging than other dental health issues. If you experience one or more of the following, then Dr. Noble will perform a comprehensive examination to determine if TMJ disorder is the reason why:
- Popping sensations when you open and close your jaw
- Chronic pain and soreness in your jaw muscles
- Recurring headaches and migraines, especially in the mornings
- Bruxism (which can be both a cause and a symptom of TMJ disorder)
- Occasional locking of the jaw joints (also known as lock-jaw)
- Pain or inflammation around one or both of your ears
Treatment Planning
The most effective way to address TMJ disorder is to restore your mouth’s balance and ease the pressure on your jaw joints so they can heal. Mild to moderate cases may be treated with a custom mouthguard or oral splints to hold the lower jaw in a more comfortable position. Non-invasive therapy might also be recommended, such as physical therapy to help train your TMJs and jaw muscles to work more comfortably and efficiently.
Visit Dr. Noble’s Office in Highland Park Today!
Dr. Natalee Noble and the staff of Noble Dentistry in Dallas, TX are more than just a team of dental professionals; they’re a family, and one that grows with every new patient! To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling today at 214-522-3110.