TMJ Therapy in Grafton & Auburn

Try this: open your jaw and listen closely. Do you hear or feel a small click or pop? If so, that’s your jaw trying to tell you something. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ/TMD, is a painful disorder that can affect your ability to eat, speak, and chew, among other symptoms. Fortunately, there is help with TMJ therapy in Grafton! Dr. Kern and the team at Kern Family Dentistry provide treatment for an aching jaw joint. But what is TMJ disorder? And how is it treated? Keep reading to learn more, then schedule an appointment with your dentist for lasting relief from your TMJ pain.

What Is TMJ Dysfunction?

Your TMJ is the network of bones, ligaments, and nerves that connect your mandible to the skull. It is a delicate system, and if a sudden injury or repeated stress throws off its alignment, the condition known as TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) occurs. It’s a chronic, often painful issue that causes a number of side effects and can lead to long term injuries if left untreated.

The most common causes of TMJ/TMD are:

• Facial trauma or injury
• Misaligned teeth or a bad bite
• Stress and jaw clenching
• Nighttime teeth grinding (also occurs as a result of TMJ/TMD)

TMJ/TMD can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older patients. Women are also slightly more likely to have TMJ/TMD than men.

Do I Need TMJ Therapy?

Some people ignore their jaw pain because they do not realize there is an effective treatment within reach. If you experience any of the following symptoms and are also frequently stressed, have had a facial injury, or grind your teeth at night, you could probably benefit from TMJ therapy from Kern Family Dentistry.

The most common symptoms of TMJ/TMD include:

• A click or pop when opening and closing the jaw
• A grinding sound or sensation in the jaw
• The sensation of lockjaw
• Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth wide
• Facial, neck, or ear pain
• Migraines
• Worn teeth
• Sensitive teeth

How Is TMJ/TMD Treated?

If Dr. Kern determines that you need therapy for TMJ/TMD, we will take impressions or molds of your teeth to set you up with a customized mouthguard/nightguard. This treatment method is highly effective for people dealing with discomfort related to the TMJ because it performs two functions. First, it protects your tooth enamel from injury caused by the teeth grinding and jaw clenching that occur with TMJ/TMD. Second, it takes stress off the jaw joint, greatly reducing the pain-inducing strain on your jaw. Most patients a customized mouthguard/nightguard to be an effective treatment for TMJ/TMD.

Schedule a Visit Today!

Are you suffering with a clicking, popping, aching jaw? Your dentist at Kern Family Dentistry can help with TMJ therapy! Request an appointment for relief from jaw pain at long last.