Your jaw joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joint systems in the body. It's responsible for helping you laugh, talk, chew, eat, and enjoy food. When your TMJ isn't functioning properly, it causes a host of problems that can even result in conditions like chronic headaches and neck and shoulder pain.
Today we're providing a full guide to what you should know about jaw joint pain and other problems and how we can treat them.
Are TMJ and TMD the Same?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which refers to your jaw joint, while TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, which refers to the condition that arises when your jaw joint is out of alignment, isn't functioning correctly, and is causing discomfort.
Symptoms of TMD
If you or a loved one is suffering from TMD, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
- Clicking or popping in the joint when you open or close your mouth
- Jaw joint locking either in an open or closed position
- Chronic and frequent headaches or migraines
- Pain or tenderness when biting or chewing food
- An earache
- Pain in your jaw joint
- Limited movement of your jaw
Symptoms of TMD can become quite debilitating and may greatly impact your quality of life. The good news is that we have excellent solutions for treating TMD so you can reclaim your good health.
What Causes TMD?
There are several factors that can contribute to TMJ problems, and they differ for each patient. Here are some of the issues that may be contributing to your discomfort.
- An injury or trauma to your head and neck
- Tooth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Bite misalignment
- High levels of stress or anxiety
- Missing teeth
- Arthritis
When our dentists can determine the root cause of your TMD, they can create a personalized treatment plan that will help you regain comfortable joint function.
How Do We Treat TMD in North York?
Your TMJ treatment depends a lot on what is causing your TMD. For example, if bite misalignment is the cause of your TMD pain, our dentists may recommend orthodontic treatment with Invisalign or traditional braces to straighten your teeth and correct your bite. At Emery Village Dental, our dentists are certified Invisalign providers and can also deliver traditional orthodontic treatment with braces.
Maybe bruxism is the cause of your TMD? If so, our dentists may recommend treatment to repair the damage caused by bruxism, such as dental crowns or veneers. Once your smile and bite are restored, the might make a custom night guard for you to wear at night while you sleep to help relax your jaw muscles and eliminate clenching and grinding. A night guard also protects your teeth from any damage or wear that bruxism causes.
BOTOX® Treatment for TMD
BOTOX® relaxes muscles, which can eliminate wrinkles and fine lines, but it's also effective in providing relief from some of the painful symptoms of TMD.
The effects of a BOTOX® treatment typically last around three to four months. So patients using this treatment as relief from TMD pain will need to have three to four treatments throughout the year, depending on their needs.
Dr. Ellie Moore is our certified BOTOX® provider in North York, and she can discuss your needs and goals with you to determine if BOTOX® for TMJ is the right option for you, how much you would need, and how often you could expect to have injections.
Why Choose Your Dentist for BOTOX® Treatment in North York?
Dentists are actually excellent BOTOX® providers because of all the training they've completed just to become a dentist!
With focuses on facial anatomy and muscle structure, they already understand the optimal places for effective BOTOX® injections. Not to mention that giving comfortable and pain-free injections is part of their every-day work with dental procedures.
Dr. Moore also completed additional training to learn how deliver comfortable and effective BOTOX® injections. This training combined with her skills and expertise as a dentist can leave you feeling confident about the BOTOX® treatment she provides for you.
You Don't Have to Live with Facial Discomfort
If you or a loved one is experiencing the pain or discomfort of TMD, know that there are solutions! The first step is to schedule an exam with your North York dentist to get more clarity about your symptoms, the causes of your discomfort, and your options for treatment.
Take the next steps towards a pain-free life! We invite you to book an evaluation with one of our dentists online or by calling our team at (437) 900-8266.