TMJ Treatment

Headache, Bruxism, & TMJ Dysfunction in Westampton, NJ

Headaches, migraines, and TMJ dysfunction can result from underlying dental issues. A misaligned bite or stress-related clenching and grinding can create intense facial and jaw pain. The good news is a custom oral appliance can prevent harmful grinding, restore a proper bite, and alleviate your pain.

Bruxism

Some patients react to stress by grinding their teeth unconsciously during the day or, more commonly, while sleeping. The constant pressure and motion can harm teeth, as well as muscles and tissues in and around the jaw. The condition, known as bruxism, can be remedied with a nightguard.

TMJ Dysfunction

You may spend most of your life unaware of the important little triangular-shaped joints located in front of your ears. Under normal conditions, they join your lower jaw and temporal bone, allowing your mouth to open and close easily. However, stress or an improper bite can cause the joints to dysfunction, exposing nerve endings to create pain. The resulting TMJ disorder, or TMD, can create a variety of mild to severe symptoms, from jaw clicking and minor discomfort to sharp pain in your temple, ear, neck, and shoulders.

Treatment

A thorough evaluation will allow us to check your teeth, tissues, and muscles. If we determine that you suffer from bruxism or TMJ dysfunction, we'll create an orthodontic appliance, also called a nightguard or splint. Our goals are to protect teeth from further damage and correct underlying bite misalignment. Other therapies may involve orthodontics, bite reconstruction, and symptom relief measures. Botox has become a popular option for helping patients overcome their uncomfortable symptoms and enjoy better wellbeing.