tmj disorder
jaw problems
In Eastbourne
Love your teeth
Understanding TMJ Disorder
The way your teeth meet when your top and bottom jaws close down on top of each other is known as your ‘bite’. If your teeth don’t fit together properly, you could have malocclusion or ‘bad bite’, which can cause problems with your teeth, gums, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles in your face.
This misalignment, often referred to as TMJ disorder, can also cause some people to clench and grind their teeth at night. This can lead to facial pain, headaches, discomfort and clicking when biting or chewing, migraines as well as neck and shoulder pain, even back pain.
specialist advice
Symptoms of TMJ
If you recognise any of these symptoms or suffer with these on a daily basis, you will need to see a dentist to treat your problems or they can refer you to a specialist if necessary.
The important thing to do is see your dentist as soon as possible so your problem does not become worse over time and require more drastic measures to correct.
Jaw Pain
Sharp pain that may radiate to the face, ears or neck
Clicking or Popping Sounds
Particularly during chewing or speaking
Limited Jaw Movement
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully
Muscle Tension
Muscle stiffness or tension in the jaw, face, or neck
Customised Splint Therapy
Solutions for TMJ Disorder
In some cases, the treatment includes wearing a hard plastic appliance, known as a splint, on the teeth at night. We can make many of the splints here at the surgery. Some appliances are very straightforward to make, others require more complex records of the jaw and how the teeth slide across each other so that the dental technicians can construct the special splint accordingly.
Relieving Jaw Tension
Custom-Fit Splints
These devices are made to measure and fitted onto your bite accurately, so that when you bite on it, your teeth are in a position where your muscles are relaxed. This also stops your teeth from becoming worn down by grinding and protects them.
There are a variety of reason why you may have a jaw joint problem – one of which might be because there are missing teeth.
Relieving Jaw Tension
Custom-Fit Splints
These devices are made to measure and fitted onto your bite accurately, so that when you bite on it, your teeth are in a position where your muscles are relaxed. This also stops your teeth from becoming worn down by grinding and protects them.
There are a variety of reason why you may have a jaw joint problem – one of which might be because there are missing teeth.
Frequently asked Questions
TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing pain and dysfunction in the jaw area.
Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw, limited jaw movement, and muscle stiffness or tension in the jaw, face, or neck.
TMJ disorder can be caused by various factors, including teeth grinding or clenching, jaw misalignment, arthritis, jaw injury, or stress.
Treatment for TMJ disorder may include self-care measures such as jaw exercises and relaxation techniques, lifestyle changes to reduce stress, and in some cases, medications or dental procedures to alleviate symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be considered as a last resort.