TMJ/TMD
Treatments.
If you’re experiencing chronic jaw pain, it can be excruciatingly painful and incredibly frustrating — Dr. Barkhodari is here to provide you with a solution.
What is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) refers to the issues that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These are the joints you find in your jaw. Chronic jaw pain is sometimes referred to as TMJ but this actually refers to the jaw joints themselves and not the disorder. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension
Symptoms of TMD
You may require TMD treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:
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Restricted movement around your jaw bone or muscles
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Clicking or popping noise while you chew
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Persistent headaches or earaches
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Pains around the jaw muscles
How to Relieve Pain Connected to TMJ Issues
Let our Union Street dental team review your aches and pains, and help improve your symptoms. If Dr. Barkhodari diagnoses you with TMD, there are a variety of conservative, at-home treatments she can share with you, including using a bite guard. However, some advanced TMJ disorders may require orthodontic work or surgery, including replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. Your case will be reviewed during your appointment at our dental practice in Cow Hollow and your treatment plan will be recommended for your specific issues.
To help relieve some of your soreness before your appointment, you may consider eating softer foods and working on reducing your stress levels that might cause jaw clenching and teeth grinding which can exacerbate TMJ issues.