TMJ Treatment

What is TMJ dysfunction?

Have you ever known someone who experiences sore jaws, difficulty eating hard foods, or jaw mobility issues sometimes accompanied by cracking or locking? It can be miserable to live with and difficult to get answers to. When the upper jaw doesn't fully develop forward, it can trap the lower jaw behind it. Additionally, retractive orthodontic techniques can create or exacerbate these issues. This situation leads to jaw muscle tension, essentially creating a tug-of-war between different muscle groups. Some muscles aim to maintain jaw function where the teeth meet for chewing, while others strive for stability in the TMJ and better airway space.

Treatment of TMJ Disorders

To relieve TMJ pain, we focus on opening up space within the joint to prevent compression. We use a machine called the K7 to evaluate the TMJ and associated pain patterns. This simple, non-invasive system provides valuable insights into jaw muscle function and the positions of the jaw during various activities such as chewing, swallowing, opening, and closing.

By understanding the complex relationship between the teeth, TMJ, and muscles, we can create a more personalized treatment plan. We treat TMJ with removable appliances that can offer relatively quick relief. These appliances are custom made and have material on the surface of the teeth that open up the bite, much like a splint used to manage TMJ symptoms.

As the upper jaw develops forward, we create room for the lower jaw to function in harmony with all the muscles, eliminating tension and discomfort. Following appliance treatment, clear aligners or braces are used to maintain the forward development and straighten the teeth and bite. This approach allows the lower jaw to function forward, reducing compression on the TMJ and relaxing the associated muscles, easing pain and discomfort. Improving the TMJ space can also help reduce tinnitus, ear fullness, vertigo and other ear-related symptoms, by effectively opening up the joint and reducing inflammation that can affect the ears.

We understand how difficult it can be to get pain relief and find answers to improve TMJ issues, call us today to evaluate your muscles and help you on your way to getting the answers you need!