TMJ and Bruxism Treatments
Say Goodbye to TMJ Pain
Don’t suffer from painful TMJ problems like headaches and jaw pain. A custom nightguard may be all that’s needed to give you the relief you need.
Teeth grinding or bruxism is a common problem, and many people aren’t even aware they’re doing it. Often, the first signs they notice are headaches upon waking or neck and TMJ pain.
Your TMJ is your temporomandibular joint, and it gets a lot of use because it controls the movement of your lower jaw. When a problem occurs with the way the TMJ functions, dentists refer to it as a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD.
Dr. Chris Moriarty is pleased to offer solutions for the painful and destructive symptoms of teeth grinding and TMJ that many of our Manchester, NH patients experience. Problems with your jaw joint can occur for several reasons. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan we offer a conservative option that can help relieve your jaw pain and protect your teeth.
What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
Symptoms of TMJ problems range from annoying to debilitating. For some people, TMD symptoms can take over their life, but there is hope. Some signs to look for are:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Headaches or migraines
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Jaw locked open or closed
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Broken, fractured, or worn teeth
What Causes TMJ Problems?
TMJ problems or TMD can be caused by:
- Stress or anxiety
- Arthritis
- Injury to the jaw
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Tooth misalignment
- Malocclusions (bite problems)
When you meet with Dr. Moriarty, he’ll take a panoramic x-ray of your mouth that shows all your teeth and your upper and lower jaw in a single image. This image lets him see what’s happening with your jaw joints, which helps him pinpoint the source of your pain.
Why Is It Important to Treat TMJ?
TMD symptoms are not just painful and disruptive, but they also damage healthy tooth structure. Excessive teeth grinding or bruxism is common with TMD and places greater force on teeth than they are meant to absorb.
As a result, patients with TMD often end up with worn, chipped, fractured, or broken teeth. Since most teeth grinding occurs during sleep, they may not even realize they’re doing it or why they’re teeth are breaking down.
One effective treatment for TMJ pain in Manchester, NH is the use of a customized nightguard that you wear at night while you sleep. The appliance slips over your upper teeth and acts as a buffer to prevent your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other. A custom nightguard protects your teeth from the forces of teeth grinding and also gives your jaw joint a chance to rest and recover during sleep.
Call Us Today and Say Goodbye to TMJ Pain
At North End Dental Care, we offer an easy, solution that has helped relieve TMJ pain for many of our Manchester, NH dental patients. Call us to schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Moriarty to see if a customized night guard can help provide the relief you need.
