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What Is TMJ?

At Saddleback Dental Centre in Edmonton, AB, we provide TMJ disorder treatment to alleviate your pain. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in front of your ears on each side of your head. The joints connect to your skull and jawbone, rotating and moving it. When you have TMJ issues, you often suffer from problems chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Our dental team provides TMJ treatment to help relax these complex muscles. Saddleback Dental Centre offers Edmonton comprehensive family dental services for patients of all ages. We do our best to diagnose and treat your conditions for optimal oral health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

A man holding cheek in teeth pain

What Are the Causes of TMJ?

It’s often challenging to determine the exact cause of TMJ. The temporomandibular joint consists of small shock-absorbing disks and cartilage that interact with the joint, so they can cause severe pain when not working correctly. The most common causes of TMJ include:

  • Bruxism, or habitual grinding of teeth
  • Misaligned or worn disk
  • Cartilage inflammation
  • Stress
  • A sudden or sharp impact
  • Chewing gum
  • Eating ice
  • Poor posture
  • Stress

The Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ symptoms can vary due to the high concentration of nerve fibers and the complexity of the jaw joint. The most common symptoms of TMJ include:

  • Restricted jaw motion
  • Aching mouth
  • Sharp jaw pain
  • Aching jaw pain
  • Eye pain
  • Sinus pressure
  • Cracking jaw
  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Neck pain

TMJ Disorder Treatment Process

The most common TMJ disorder treatment includes mouth guards or oral splints. Most patients with severe joint pain benefit from wearing a mouth insertion. You can wear these oral appliances during sleep or during the daytime for a few hours to hold the jaw and teeth in a natural and relaxed position. The muscles slowly reprogram themselves to their correct position. We also recommend avoiding habits that cause jaw pain, including biting your fingernails, grinding your teeth, or chewing gum.

Tips To Help Reduce TMJ Disorder Symptoms

TMJ can cause extreme pain. The best ways to reduce TMJ disorder symptoms include:

  • Sleep in a comfortable position.
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Reduce stress levels.
  • Avoid biting your nails and grinding your teeth.
  • Sleep in a comfortable position.
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Reduce stress levels.
  • Avoid biting your nails and grinding your teeth.

Frequently Asked TMJ Treatment Questions

 The Saddleback Dental Centre team is here to answer your most frequently asked TMJ treatment questions to help you feel as comfortable as possible.

What Is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?

TMJ involves the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Temporomandibular Disorder occurs when TMJ occurs when the joint is affected by problems that cause pain. It is highly common to interchange the terms.

Do I Need Surgery for TMJ?

It is rare to need surgery for TMJ, but there are times when the disorder is severe enough for surgery. Typically, we treat TMJ with orthodontic correction appliances and therapy.

Can I Test Myself for TMJ Disorder?

You can test the mobility of your neck and jaw, your posture, and the wear and tear of your teeth. We recommend visiting us for a professional diagnosis.

How Can I Prevent TMJ Disorder?

The best way to prevent TMJ disorder is to practice relaxing your jaw muscles. It’s best to try to avoid jaw tension and stress. Having routine dental checkups is critical to catching any issues as early as possible.

Choosing Saddleback Dental Centre

Saddleback Dental Centre will help diagnose and treat your TMJ issues. We welcome you into our warm and friendly office. Besides TMJ treatment, we offer comprehensive dental services, including:

Contact Us Today

Our dental team at Saddleback Dental Centre is ready to help alleviate your oral pain. Our family, cosmetic, general, and preventative dentistry services are here for you. Contact us in North Edmonton or South Edmonton today to schedule an appointment!

We’re Big Believers in Comprehensive Care