What is TMJ?
Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome or TMJ is a condition that affects millions of Americans. Most people suffering from TMJ are unaware of the root causes of the problem. One common cause is the misalignment of teeth. Often, realigning the teeth can stop the pounding headaches, jaw pain, and other symptoms. Another common cause of TMJ is grinding teeth, which often occurs at night this erodes the structure of the teeth and can contribute to problems such as eroded jaw bones and loose teeth.
Some of the common symptoms of TMJ include:
- Severe headaches or migraines
- Facial pain
- Neck pain
- Restricted jaw movement
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joints
- Congestion, stuffiness, or ringing in the ears
- Recurring pain or soreness around the jaw
- Unexplained tooth pain or tooth movement
- Unexplained loose teeth
- Excessive wear or cracking of the teeth or restorations
TMJ symptoms may be debilitating and interfere with your daily life. Patients often report that their symptoms become worse when they are experiencing prolonged periods of stress. It is also common for intense outbreaks to cause dizziness and neck pain. At Palencia Dental, our primary concern is the comfort and well-being of our patients.
Diagnosis & Treatment Options
TMJ dentist Dr. Stephanie Kinsey is trained to diagnose and devise a plan for treatment to provide effective TMJ relief in St. Augustine. There are several methods for relieving symptoms. A specially molded mouth guard can be used at night to prevent teeth grinding. Relaxation techniques can be used to reduce stress and muscle relaxants can be prescribed.
Realignment is a better alternative to improve TMJ symptoms and offers the added benefit of improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth. Depending on the needs of the individual patient, this may involve adjusting the natural teeth and placing new restorations. At Palencia Dental, we have performed this procedure numerous times with great success.
