TMJ/TMD Therapy

If you endure significant pain or discomfort in the joints of your jaw or notice a popping or clicking sound when opening or closing your mouth, or you experience regular headaches, you might have TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome. If you have been suffering from TMJ/TMD pain, Dental on 8th is pleased to offer TMJ/TMD treatment.

TMJ is a condition that affects your temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. This joint allows your jaw to open and close, and it allows you to eat and speak. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to issues associated with your jaw movement, and the muscles in your face that control it. TMD often causes severe pain and discomfort.

Dental on 8th is committed to helping treat symptoms associated with TMD. Once TMD/TMJ is diagnosed, the first step in treatment is usually a custom night guard or splint. The thought is that realigning the jaw and preventing any jaw clenching will help to alleviate symptoms. A night guard is a custom made, plastic dental device that is worn over the upper and lower teeth to realign the jaw and alleviate the pain associated with any misalignment. It also helps to protect the teeth from grinding, so that you bite against the night guard or splint, rather than your teeth. Splints or night guards have been shown to provide relief of TMJ symptoms and are the usual first step in treatment before delving deeper for an alternative treatment. If your pain does not improve, even with the use of a night guard or splint, your dentist may refer you to a specialist in TMD, called a neuromuscular dentist.