TMJ Symptoms and Treatment

• Jaw pain or soreness, more noticeable in the morning or afternoon
• Jaw pain while chewing, biting, or yawning
• Earache without an infection, sometimes spreading into the face
• Soreness in front of the ear
• A clicking or grinding noise while opening and closing your mouth
• Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
• A stiff jaw when eating, talking, or yawning
• Sensitive teeth without any signs of dental problems
• Aching on the side of the head and neck pain
• A burning sensation in the mouth/tongue
• Grinding of your teeth
• Restricted range of jaw movement or "locking" of the jaw in an open or closed position

A thorough dental examination is the first step toward finding a solution. The goal of TMJ treatment is to modify your bite so it holds the teeth in a position that allows muscle relaxation, not muscle tension. Treatments frequently include subtly reshaping your teeth (an equilibration) and a nighttime device that fits over your teeth and reduces your ability to grind your teeth at night (an “NTI” or a nightguard). If your bite is too far off for an equilibration to correct or if you have damage within the joint itself, treatment may include daytime jaw-relaxation devices that cover your teeth, and/or orthodontics (braces) or surgery. The vast majority of cases I treat respond very well with an equilibration and some form of nightguard and need no other treatment.

Call us at (888) 491-4780 for more information about TMJ and jaw pain.

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