TMJ CARE

Temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) disorders cause discomfort on the hinge of your jaw. You many experience:

  • Pain when opening and closing your jaw
  • Headaches
  • Ear pain
  • Jaw popping/clicking
  • Locking of jaw

TMJ disorders can be caused by:

  • Trauma to the jaw
  • Teeth grinding
  • Excessive chewing
  • Stress
  • Improper bite
  • Arthritis

tmj

Treatment of TMJ disorders includes the construction of a night guard (seen above), which is made by taking impressions of the teeth and sending them to a lab. A night guard is worn while sleeping, and cushions the force when grinding of teeth occurs. This, along with reducing stress and excessive chewing, can relieve pain to the joint area of the jaw.

Sports guards are made in the same way as night guards, but function as a protective barrier when engaging in athletics.

Back