TMJ Treatment

The best way to understand this disorder is to imagine your jaw like a hinge – this hinge is your TMJ, a complex joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. And, while it might be considered one of your smaller joints, it plays a significant role in how you go about your day-to-day, from eating to speaking! Sometimes, your TMJ joint can become stressed or misaligned, which leads to the disorder and causes a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Jaw pain and tenderness
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth fully
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw
• Facial pain
• Headaches
• Earaches
• Difficulty chewing

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What Might Be Causing Your TMJ Trouble?

The Domino Effect of Dental Issues

When all your teeth fit together perfectly, your bite will function smoothly. But what happens if some pieces are missing, worn down, or poorly placed? It creates stress and misalignment, which can lead to uneven pressure on your TMJ joint.

• Missing teeth: One missing tooth can throw everything out of balance! Your remaining teeth will inevitably move around to try and fill the gap, which can strain your jaw muscles and the TMJ joint.
• Uneven wear: Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw can wear down your teeth unevenly. This throws off your bite and can lead to TMJ issues.
• Poor restorations: Poorly constructed crowns, fillings, or dentures can also disrupt your bite and put stress on your TMJ joint.

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Autoimmune Diseases and TMJ Woes

It's not the most common culprit, but some autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, can contribute to pain in the TMJ joint. If you already know you have an autoimmune disease and are feeling TMJ pain, Dr. Klein and his team can use this information to create a plan of action.

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More Than Just Posture

Here's something you might not expect: even how you sit can affect your TMJ! Slouching or hunching forward strains your jaw muscles and the TMJ joint. Over time, this bad posture can lead to TMJ pain and make it hard for your jaw to work right.

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Beyond Simple Pain Relief

Addressing your TMJ concerns can offer several benefits beyond simply relieving pain. Here are some ways TMJ treatment can improve your quality of life:

• Chewing, Eating, And Speaking Made Easy: Treatment can help your jaw move smoothly and comfortably again, making things like eating, chewing, and talking a breeze.
• Headache Hero: TMJ can trigger headaches, so by addressing the root cause, you might end up with fewer headaches and migraines.
• Sleep Tight: Jaw pain can make getting a good night's sleep challenging. Treatment can help you get the restful nights you deserve.

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