Jaw Disorders (TMD Treatment)

Ease migraines, jaw pain and teeth grinding

You may be one of the 10 million Americans who suffer from head, jaw or neck pain associated with TMD, also known as tempromandibular disorder

The Tempromandibular Joints connect the jaw bone to the skull, and are located just in front of each ear. Important in many ways, the Tempromandibular Joints are necessary for opening and closing the mouth, chewing, swallowing, breathing, talking, yawning and kissing. Tempromandibular Joints operate as a ‘ball and socket’, and depend on proper alignment of muscles, and often teeth to work smoothly.

Dr. Jivraj has had excellent success with many patients who previously suffered from migraines, jaw pain, popping in their jaws, tooth pressure or grinding and other symptoms associated with TMD.

Symptoms of TMD

TMJ/TMD symptoms include:

• Headaches (often misdiagnosed as migraines)
• Shoulder, neck or back pain
• Numbness in arms and fingers
• Facial pain
• Jaw pain
• Clicking or popping jaw
• Clenching or grinding teeth
• Ringing ears (tinnitus)
• Congested ears

Treatment of TMD

Assisting patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) is one of Dr. Jivraj's specialties, and in many cases he can relieve pressure, headaches and jaw pain that does not respond to other types of treatment.

At your initial exam with Dr. Jivraj, he will check your jaw as well as the state of your teeth and gums to locate any signs of mal-occlusion (lack of alignment of your teeth and jaw bones). If you are one of the many people suffering from TMD, Dr. Jivraj will advise you on treatment options which can include night guards to protect your teeth from grinding, Invisalign to adjust your teeth and bite into place or, in some cases, traditional braces.

In any case, the handlings are tailored to the individual needs of each patient so that they can have a comfortable bite and chew and talk without pain.

Treatment options for TMJ

• Gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises you can do at home. This is the choice for TMJ related to stress, excessive gum chewing or temporary pain of the TMJ.
• Nightguards are the most widely-used treatment for TMJ. They can be used to alleviate pain right away and also to prevent teeth from continued enamel wear and root exposure due to teeth grinding, clenching or bruxism.
• Tooth reconstruction. This is used for those with collapsed bites, when missing teeth are not replaced or where excessive enamel wear has already occurred. Teeth reconstruction involves restoring the teeth to the correct size, height and shape in order for the jaws to line up properly. This relieves TMJ pain and creates a beautiful smile.
• Invisalign or traditional braces is used to correct crowding and teeth malalignment.
• Surgery can be done to reposition the TMJ’s to a more favorable location, correct a lower face asymmetry, or remove tumors.

More about TMJ

In many cases the first time a person realizes they have TMD is when they get a painful popping in their jaw or their jaws lock up and will not open and close properly. These are both extreme instances and cases of TMJ can and should be diagnosed much earlier. Some of the specific situations Dr. Jivraj looks for include:

Bruxism (grinding teeth) – Many people clench and grind their teeth at night without know it. This can be because the person's teeth don't line up properly or even because their muscles are too tight to allow the joint to move freely.

Occlusion (tooth alignment) – More serious problems with TMJ start simply with a person's teeth not lining properly, giving them a bite that feels off in a given direction. This can worsen over time, and can often be handled simply by locating the teeth in the mouth that don't fit properly and adjusting these with a new crown or veneer. In some cases braces or Invisalign may be a better solution.

Headaches – Unexplained headaches can come from malocclusion. When you bite down forcefully your teeth may not come together properly, and this forces your jaw backwards. The lower jaw moves and this can pinch the nerves and blood vessels. Your jaw is ultimately connected to nerve which runs to your temples, and this can be a source of headaches or migraines.

Nightguards – A nightguard is a custom made, highly technically fabricated appliance placed on the upper teeth to relieve pain of the jaw joints, to prevent wear of tooth enamel, and to protect teeth, crowns and bridges from breaking or getting loose. It also helps prevent teeth grinding and/or clenching. It must be custom-made by a dental lab. Avoid the use an over-the-counter nightguard, because these are not made for your teeth. If a nightguard is not custom fit it can cause more harm than good.

No-Charge Consultation

Call 805-351-4933 to request a complimentary exam with x-rays and a consultation to discuss your treatment options or click here to request an appointment online.