What Causes TMJ?

The causes of TMJ are varied and can be hard to pinpoint. Here are some of the more common ones:

• Tooth grinding
• A jaw injury
• Arthritis
• A disease of the jaw’s connective tissue
• Poorly aligned teeth

"How Do I Know if I Have TMJ?"

TMJ has many symptoms, and they are often connected. They include the following:

• Chipped or ground down teeth
• Pain in the face, particularly around the jaw
• Headaches and migraines
• Dizziness
• Clicking when opening the mouth wide
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Pain or ringing in the ears
• Trouble swallowing
• Pain when eating
• Tooth pain
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain

The longer TMJ is left untreated, the more symptoms might appear and the worse they could become. 

TMJ Treatment in Little Rock, Arkansas

Examine the Issue with one of our licensed experts at Forest Heights Dental.

Examinations for TMJ sufferers start with the patient explaining his or her symptoms to the dentist. At this stage, the dentist will closely review the patient’s dental and medical histories, looking for possible causes of the pain. Using digital imaging technology, the dentist can analyze the patient’s jaw structure, facial muscle function and check the position of his or her teeth, paying particular attention to how the upper and lower teeth meet when biting. 

Checking these elements allows the dentist to uncover the underlying causes of TMJ. Problems like an incorrect alignment of the bite, inflammation, and weak muscles can lead to TMJ. And the discovery of the cause is the first step to curing this uncomfortable problem.

Non-Surgical TMJ Treatment

Once you and your dentist understand the causes of your TMJ, treatment can begin. Luckily, non-surgical remedies, including bite adjustment or the wearing of a bite guard or orthotic, are very effective. 

Orthodontics for TMJ in Little Rock, Arkansas

An orthotic for TMJ treatment corrects the lower jaw position over a short period. Orthotics are made of hard acrylic and designed to help relax the jaw joint and its muscles. Wearing the orthotic also promotes better balance of the joint and muscles and helps the other muscles of the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back work in closer alignment. Orthotic treatment typically takes about four weeks. 

Night Guards

Hard acrylic night guards, or bite guards, generally fit over a patient’s upper teeth. Night guards prevent the destructive grinding that causes teeth to wear out and exacerbates the problems of TMJ. 

If you’re ready to find proper treatment for jaw pain caused by TMJ, come to Forest Heights Dental. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for our patients, using the best treatments and care at affordable prices.