Do you experience jaw pain, clicking sounds when you chew, or persistent headaches? These could be signs of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorders affect the joints, muscles, and ligaments that connect your jawbone to your skull. These conditions can make everyday activities, like eating and talking, difficult, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, you can find significant relief that improves your quality of life.
At SmileWorks in New York City, we regularly help patients throughout Manhattan and surrounding areas manage TMJ disorders with personalized care plans. Our multi-specialty approach ensures you receive comprehensive treatment to address symptoms and underlying causes of jaw pain and dysfunction. With years of experience and a commitment to your health, safety, and comfort, you can have peace of mind that you’re in the right hands.
What Are Common TMJ Disorder Symptoms?
TMJ disorders can manifest through various symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Recognizing these signs early can lead to faster intervention and relief. Common indicators of TMJ disorders include the following:
- Pain or tenderness: Often the most noticeable symptom, discomfort can extend from the jaw into the face, neck, shoulders, and around the ear, especially when chewing, speaking, or opening your mouth wide.
- Unusual joint sounds: You may notice your jaw clicking, popping, or grating when you open and close your mouth. While this symptom may occur without pain and not require treatment, it can also be a sign of TMJ dysfunction.
- Limited jaw movement: Limited jaw movement or locking can prevent you from fully opening your mouth, making eating and speaking challenging and uncomfortable.
- Facial muscle fatigue: After eating or excessively talking, your facial muscles may feel tired due to the extra work they do when compensating for TMJ disorder.
- Headaches and earaches: With the proximity of the TMJ to the ear, issues with the jaw can trigger pain elsewhere, causing migraines, ear pain, and even ear ringing.
If you experience some or all of these symptoms, our knowledgeable team can help you determine if they’re related to TMJ disorder and how we can treat them, so you can go back to enjoying your favorite foods and talking with loved ones without pain.
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
TMJ disorders rarely have a single, easily identifiable cause. Instead, multiple factors typically contribute to their development. These factors often include one or more of the following:
- Teeth grinding: Teeth clenching and grinding, also known as bruxism, is one of the leading causes of TMJ disorders, as it places pressure on the TMJ. Over time, this strain can lead to joint inflammation, muscle tension, and jaw displacement.
- Jaw misalignment: If your jaw is misaligned, your TMJ may work harder than necessary, shifting into different positions to compensate. This creates uneven forces on the joint and surrounding muscles.
- Physical trauma: Direct impact to your jaw from an accident, sports injury, or other trauma can damage your TMJ and cause misalignment.
- Arthritis: Different types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can erode the TMJ, cause inflammation, and damage the joint’s structure.
Our trusted professionals work closely with you, conducting detailed examinations, taking X-rays and photographs, and reviewing your medical history, to determine the root causes of your TMJ disorder and develop a personalized solution that relieves your pain.
What Treatment Options Are Available for TMJ Disorders?
Treating TMJ disorders typically follows a conservative, multidisciplinary approach focused on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and addressing underlying causes. At SmileWorks, we understand every patient is different, so we take the time to find a treatment that works best for you. Depending on the cause of your TMJ disorder, one or more of the following treatment options may be most effective for you:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy often yields excellent results for TMJ disorders. Targeted exercises can strengthen jaw muscles, improve range of motion, and correct movement patterns. Manual therapy techniques may include gentle massage and mobilization to reduce muscle tension and improve joint function. Many physical therapists also teach proper jaw posture and movement habits to prevent your symptoms from coming back.
Oral Appliances
Custom oral appliances can help reposition the jaw and protect the TMJ system from further damage. Night guards can prevent teeth grinding during sleep, while splints might adjust the jaw position to reduce joint pressure. These custom-made devices create space between the upper and lower teeth, allowing the jaw to assume a more natural, relaxed position.
Medication
Medication may help manage pain and inflammation associated with TMJ disorders. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can reduce swelling and discomfort, while prescribed muscle relaxers may help with severe muscle spasms. Targeted injections like corticosteroids may also temporarily relieve inflammation or muscle tension.
Procedures
We generally reserve more invasive interventions for severe cases unresponsive to conservative treatments. Procedures to relieve TMJ discomfort include arthrocentesis (joint fluid removal), arthroscopy (minimally invasive surgery), or, in rare instances, open joint surgery. However, we explore all options before considering surgery for your TMJ disorder.
Find TMJ Relief With the Experienced Team at SmileWorks
Living with TMJ pain doesn’t have to be your new normal. At SmileWorks, our comprehensive approach to TMJ disorders addresses both symptoms and underlying causes, providing lasting relief for patients throughout New York City. We take the time to thoroughly evaluate your condition, considering factors from dental alignment to stress levels.
Our multi-specialty practice combines expertise in general dentistry, orthodontics, and advanced TMJ treatments, all in our convenient Central Park South location. With our friendly, patient-centered approach, we make navigating TMJ treatment a comfortable experience rather than another source of stress. To discover how we can help relieve your TMJ pain and restore proper jaw function, call us at (646) 722-1177 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
