TMJ JAW PAIN TREATMENT IN NW CALGARY

The Temporomandibular Joint structure (TMJ) is made up of the joints and jaw muscles located on each side of the head just in front of the ears that make it possible to open and close your mouth. They are the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When the teeth, muscles, and joints are not aligned properly, problems can develop.

This “bad bite,” or what is technically referred to as malocclusion, can contribute to TMJ related pain (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction). In other words, when your teeth are misaligned, or there is an improper bite position, there is an added strain on the head and neck muscles, joints and teeth. Over time, this can lead to symptoms like chronic headaches, muscle spasms, jaw pain, and soreness. This can also lead to neck and back issues as your body tries to compensate

Without treatment, TMJ dysfunction can worsen, leading to excruciating levels that may require intervention. Patients with untreated TMJ dysfunction may experience debilitating migraines, neck or jaw pain, depression or malnutrition. While pain medications and muscle relaxants can ease the pain, they do not treat the cause of the pain.

How do you know if you have a headache as a result of a bad bite or if you’re experiencing some other problem, such as sleep issues, arthritis, or other medical issues? By evaluating your TMJ, we’ll do our best to determine the cause of your symptoms and treat your pain accordingly, or work with the right healthcare provider to get you the best results possible. Headaches and jaw pain can be a simple or complex issue. Understanding the cause can help determine this.

Once we have a diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction caused by a “bad bite”, treatment starts by fitting you with a stabilization appliance, often known as an orthotic, mouth guard or splint. It is a custom-fitted plastic dental device inserted over a patient’s upper and/or lower teeth that helps to realign the jaw and alleviate the pain associated with TMJ dysfunction, as well as protecting your teeth. Every patient’s TMJ dysfunction diagnosis is unique and the type of orthotic used will be based on your specific symptoms. Orthotics have been shown to provide relief of TMJ symptoms for many sufferers, and they are usually the first step of the treatment.

To help lessen your symptoms even further the addition of physiotherapy and massage therapy treatments may also be recommended.