TMJ and Bruxism Treatment
At Fanelli Dental, our dentists are conscious of conditions that can disrupt overall health. Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of oral health is the function and comfort of the jaw joints.
Jaw Joint Pain
If you awaken with painful facial muscles, sensitive teeth or headaches, you might suffer from a condition known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), which can stem from misaligned teeth, teeth grinding (bruxism) or because of developmental disorders.
Other signs of jaw joint dysfunction include:
- Migraines, headaches, neck pain or shoulder pain
- Clicking, popping or locking joints
- Malocclusion (teeth that do not come together correctly)
- Tinnitus (ringing ears)
- Facial numbness
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Tori (bony growths under the tongue)
- Fatigue
- Sensitive teeth
- Chronic pain in the head, neck or face
Our compassionate dentists realise that many people are unaware that jaw joint conditions can cause such dramatic symptoms and evaluate each patient through enquiry and physical evaluation to uncover underlying jaw conditions that might impede a comfortable quality of life.
- Bite marks on the inside of cheek tissue
- Joint grinding or clicking upon exam
- Cumulative symptoms of the head and neck
- 3-D cone beam imaging to reveal joint degeneration
Bruxism – A Serious Sleep Disorder
Teeth grinding and jaw posturing, such as clenching, often accompany TMJ disorders. Jaw muscles are among the strongest in the body, exerting on average 77 kilograms of pressure.
When the jaw works overtime during sleep, the muscles over-develop, become inflamed and cause painful facial muscles, tension headaches and broken teeth. It can also cause a boxy appearance to the jaws.
Bruxism can develop because of stress, certain medications, or alcohol consumption and because of a misaligned bite.
Treatment for TMJ Disorders and Bruxism
Our goal is to help you feel better and to protect your jaw joints and teeth. We know that you probably have many questions and just want to feel lively again. A full evaluation will determine the cause of your jaw pain and headaches and allow us to organise a treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Oral appliance therapy – Occlusal (bite) guards and nightguards can help relax jaw muscles and find an ideal orthopaedic position for your jaws.
Orthodontics – A misaligned bite may prevent jaw joints from seating correctly. Seeking orthodontic treatment with Invisalign allows teeth to come together properly.
Bite balancing – Eliminating high points by making tiny adjustments to teeth and dentistry can improve bite and reduce the urge to grind teeth.
Full mouth rehabilitation – When suffering from a bruxism habit, teeth can become worn and broken down. Restoring your teeth with dental crowns, dental implants, bridges or partial dentures can rebuild your bite and improve jaw function.
Medication – While we attempt to treat the condition rather than the symptoms, anti-inflammatory medication or muscle relaxers can relax the jaw muscles enough to provide therapeutic treatment.
TENSing - Electrostimulation reduces inflammation in muscles and allows muscles to become re-trained in treatment.
Is Jaw Pain Affecting Your Life?
Chronic pain causes fatigue and can impact your mood. Don’t let jaw disorders ruin your otherwise good health. We can help with jaw pain for our Gladstone patients and help you eat and smile comfortably again.
