Experience Comfortable Oral Function With TMJ Treatment in Dublin

Signs of a TMJ disorder may include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when chewing, difficulty opening the mouth completely, facial pain, headaches, and ear pain or ringing. Some people may also experience neck and shoulder pain or toothaches unrelated to dental problems. Also, your jaw may feel locked or stuck. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to visit our practice for help.

It’s possible, yes. Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to pain in the surrounding muscles of the head and neck, which can be misinterpreted as migraines. By wearing a mouthguard, you can alleviate the pain caused by TMJ inflammation and potentially experience relief from headaches.

Not necessarily. A jaw that clicks occasionally without pain or restricted movement may not need treatment. Clicking accompanied by pain, locking, difficulty opening your mouth, or changes in your bite deserves more attention.

Yes. Grinding gradually wears enamel and can create tiny cracks or areas of exposed dentin. Teeth may then become more sensitive to temperature or biting pressure. Grinding can also damage fillings, crowns, and other restorations.

A custom nightguard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. It won’t necessarily stop every grinding movement, but it helps keep the teeth from wearing directly against each other and may reduce stress on the jaw muscles and joints.

A custom guard is made from a scan or impression of your teeth, so the fit and bite can be controlled more precisely. Over-the-counter guards can work for some people, but a bulky or uneven fit may be uncomfortable and can make consistent wear harder.

It can. Many people clench their jaw more when they’re stressed or concentrating, sometimes without noticing. Stress isn’t the only cause of TMJ problems, but paying attention to daytime clenching can help reduce unnecessary strain on already sore jaw muscles.

Sometimes. If the way your teeth meet is contributing to excessive strain or an unstable bite, improving alignment may be part of treatment. TMJ pain can have several causes, however, so orthodontics isn’t automatically the solution for every patient.