Many patients who visit the Novato family dentist office come to us with the very basic question, “What is TMJ?” They may have been experiencing what seems to be symptoms of TMJ, such as pain in the face, jaw, and head as well as neck aches.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
Painful symptoms such as headaches, tooth, and neck pain are a result of excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. This is caused by damage resulting from decay or trauma, causing uneven surfaces on your teeth. This can result in an unbalanced bite that puts abnormal amounts of stress on the jaw joint.
How Can I Tell if I Have TMJ?
If your TMJ symptoms include a clicking or popping noise in the jaw, this is actually the sound of the joint breaking down. The sound is caused by the cartilage in the joints becoming permanently malformed from prolonged overuse. You may also experience soreness in facial muscles as a result of continued stress. Another of the common TMJ symptoms is ear congestion or ringing in the ears.
What TMJ Treatment Do You Offer?
So exactly what does TMJ treatment consist of? If your symptoms are caused by an improper bite, the team at our Novato family dentist can create a custom-made mouthguard is designed to reposition the jaw joint and surrounding muscle into a relaxed position. The mouth guard will stop the pain and return the mouth to a stable, comfortable position.
Call to Schedule an Appointment
If you believe that the symptoms you are experiencing are related to TMJ, contact our office Teeth grinding, headaches, and neck or jaw pain can be eliminated with the proper treatment.
We will arrange a consultation with our dentist to discuss your situation and explain possible options, including a custom mouthguard. Chronic TMJ pain does not have to take over your life.