TMJ disorders, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), are problems with the jaw joints and the muscles around them. These joints are in front of each ear on both sides of the face. This condition can be very painful and make it hard to talk, bite, and chew.
Dr. Keith Boenning and Dr. Nathan Dancykier help people with TMJ disorders. They offer complete TMJ treatments in Towson, MD, to relieve your pain and help you feel more comfortable. Visit our dental office to get a better bite and stop your TMJ symptoms.
Understanding TMJ and TMD
The TMJ, or temporomandibular joints, connects your lower jaw to the base of your skull. The TMJ is one of the most complicated joints in the body. It helps you move your jaw so you can open and close your mouth, chew, talk, yawn, and do other important things.
The TMJ works like a hinge but can also slide and spin. This lets your jaw move in many directions, which helps you chew food and talk clearly. The TMJ has several parts, like discs, membranes, cartilage, and muscles. Because it’s so complex and you use it a lot, it can develop problems at any time. Doctors call these issues TMJ disorders or TMD.
The Root Causes of TMD
Finding the exact cause of TMD can be tough. Still, we know several things that can lead to it. For many people, their TMJ disorder is from a mix of factors. Here are some of the most common causes we see:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Teeth clenching
- Crooked teeth
- Misaligned jaw
- Jaw injury
- Dental work
- Muscles tension or stress
- Arthritis
As you can see, many causes of TMD involve the jaw and teeth. Seeing a dentist can help you fix any damage from TMD and stop more problems from happening. One common risk for TMD is having crooked or misaligned teeth. When teeth don’t fit together properly, it can cause muscle tension and painful TMJ symptoms.
Stress and bite problems can also lead to teeth grinding and clenching, which often happen at night while you sleep. You might not even realize you’re doing it! Over time, this can wear down your teeth, cause cracks, jaw pain, headaches, and damage to the joint.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
It might be tough to know if you have a TMJ disorder, but you can watch for common signs and symptoms. TMJ disorders can cause many uncomfortable issues that affect your dental health. These symptoms can be annoying and hard to deal with. Recognizing the signs of a TMJ disorder is the first step to feeling better and improving your health.
Our dentists will check your teeth closely to look for clear signs. If you suffer from any of these TMJ symptoms, please contact our office:
- Jaw pain and tenderness
- Teeth grinding
- Chronic headaches
- Pain in the face, or shoulders
- Neck pain
- Tooth wear
- Jaw popping, clicking, or a grating noise when you open or close your mouth
- Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- difficulty opening and closing mouth
Dr. Boenning and Dr. Dancykier can help with your symptoms, but first they will examine your mouth. They might suggest changes to your daily routine, like using stress-reducing methods or avoiding certain hard or chewy foods. They might also offer a custom night guard or splint to help align your jaw and ease pressure on the joints.
Sometimes, your dentist might refer you to a specialist for extra treatment options. In severe caves, you might need oral surgery.
TMJ Treatment in Towson, MD
Before treating your symptoms, Dr. Boenning or Dr. Dancykier will check your joints for any damaged tissue and look for wear on your teeth. One common treatment for TMJ disorder and bruxism is a night guard, also known as a dental or occlusal splint. A night guard is a custom-fit device you place over your teeth to wear while you sleep.
The night guard is a removable tool that protects your teeth and jaw at night. It helps prevent damage from clenching or grinding by absorbing the force and reducing pressure on your jaw joint. It also provides a smooth surface for your teeth to move against.
Our dentists will make your night guard fit perfectly just for you. They will take impressions of your mouth and send them to our dental lab. The lab will use these molds to create your custom night guard. Once it’s ready, the lab will send it to us.
We’ll then call you to our office to check that the night guard fits well and is comfortable. We’ll show you how to take care of it so it lasts longer. You’ll wear it at night to protect your teeth and ease jaw pressure from bruxism.
For mild symptoms, mouth and jaw exercises can also help. These exercises can ease pain, strengthen jaw muscles, reduce clicking and popping, and help you heal. We’ll suggest these exercises along with your night guard routine for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions about TMJ Treatment
TMD and TMJ treatment can be confusing, especially if you’re not sure you have them. Many patients have questions about their treatment options. We understand this, so here are answers to common questions about TMD and the treatment process. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us.
Do I Need Surgery to Treat TMD?
You can address most TMJ problems with non-invasive and non-surgical dental treatments. Oral surgery is only necessary in severe cases of TMD. We offer conservative treatment for TMD and its painful symptoms in our Towson office.
How do I Know if I Need TMJ Treatment?
Ask for a consultation at our office, and we’ll check your smile to see if you need TMJ treatment. Signs like clenching or grinding your teeth, jaw pain, and worn teeth can mean you have a TMJ disorder. If the pain and discomfort are affecting your daily life, get help from us right away.
What Causes TMJ Issues?
Stress, arthritis, jaw injury, and tooth misalignment are some of the most common causes of TMJ disorders. A misaligned bite or crooked teeth can trigger symptoms like teeth clenching and grinding. Be aware of these causes and any dental symptoms that may arise so we can treat you as soon as possible.
Can TMD Go Away on its Own?
TMD can sometimes improve without treatment, especially in mild cases. You can also use home remedies and self-care practices to treat TMD. However, these actions are temporary and don’t get to the root cause of your TMJ symptoms.
The condition can last and get worse over time, causing long-term problems. But with medical care and treatment, you can manage the symptoms and prevent more damage to your jaw joint.
Is TMD a Medical or Dental Problem?
TMD is both a medical and dental problem. TMJ disorders the jaw, facial muscles, and surrounding structures. It also affects elements that relate to teeth and facial muscles. Dentists often diagnose and treat TMJ disorders because of their expertise in oral structures.
However, medical professionals like oral surgeons, physical therapists, and ENT specialists can address TMJ issues. Therefore, it is a medical and dental problem that needs dental and healthcare attention.
What Happens if you Don’t Treat TMJ?
TMJ dysfunction can get worse if you don’t get treatment. Increased pain, jaw stiffness, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth can all result from delaying therapy. Moreover, untreated TMJ problems can result in recurring headaches and earaches. It can even damage the teeth from constant clenching and grinding.
The condition of the joint may get worse in some cases. This will make treating the condition of the joint more difficult.
Can TMJ disorders cause ear pain or ringing?
Yes! TMJ issues can make your ears feel full, cause pain, or even lead to ringing (tinnitus). That’s because your jaw joint is right next to your ear canal. If you’re dealing with these symptoms and don’t have an ear infection, your TMJ might be the problem.
Can stress make TMJ symptoms worse?
Absolutely. Stress can make you clench your jaw or grind your teeth without even realizing it, which puts extra pressure on your TMJ. If you notice more jaw pain during stressful times, relaxation techniques, jaw exercises, or a night guard might help.
Does sleeping position affect TMJ pain?
Yes! Sleeping on your stomach or with your hand under your jaw can put pressure on your TMJ and make symptoms worse. Sleeping on your back with proper neck support is usually the best position for reducing jaw pain.
Can TMJ disorders cause dizziness?
Your jaw joint is connected to the same nerves and muscles that help with balance, so TMJ issues might leave you feeling lightheaded or off-balance. If this keeps happening, it’s worth checking in with a dentist to see if your TMJ is the cause.
Are there foods I should avoid if I have TMJ pain?
Yes, crunchy, chewy, or super tough foods (like gum, steak, or hard bread) can make jaw pain worse. Soft foods like yogurt, eggs, and smoothies are easier on your jaw while it heals. Cutting food into smaller bites can also help reduce strain.
Get TMJ Treatments at our Towson, MD Office
Visit us to stop jaw pain and chronic headaches as soon as possible. Call 410-324-2294 or request an appointment online for TMJ treatment in Towson, MD. Feel free to ask any questions you have about your TMJ issues with Dr. Boenning or Dr. Dancykier. We will be happy to help.