TMJ Treatments
TMJ Treatments in Corona Del Mar & Newport Beach
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is what allows your mouth to open and close, as well as speak and chew normally. It’s an intricate, complex network of muscles and joints that contributes to the movement of both your jaw and mouth. The temporomandibular joint is located on each side of the head and connects the rest of the skull to the mobile jawbone (mandible). Each temporomandibular joint has a delicate disc separating a ball and socket mechanism, similar to the knee or shoulder joint. The disc cushions the pressure while the jaw opens and rotates. If a problem occurs in this complex musculoskeletal system, it can feel extremely painful and tense. This is referred to as temporomandibular disorder, TMJ disorder, or simply “TMJ.”
TMJ can be a serious concern when it comes to your oral health because it often is accompanied by problems with grinding or clenching your teeth and jaw misalignment. For this reason, it’s important to have it treated promptly before the problems become long-term and irreversible.
Being able to move your jaw without pain can seem like a dream come true when you’ve been struggling with TMJ disorder (sometimes just called TMJ). When you start to feel pain in your jaw from chewing, yawning, or talking, you’ll likely notice it constantly. This pain can usually mean something is affecting your TMJ. TMJ disorder is a common condition that affects millions of Americans, but thankfully, this condition can be treated easily with the help of your dentist. In Corona Del Mar , Dr. Cole Younger and his team offer solutions for TMJ disorders to Corona Del Mar, NY patients looking for relief.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Jaw Pain and Clicking
One of the most reported symptoms of TMJ disorder is discomfort, especially when chewing. This pain is usually located in the jaw joint on one or both sides of the head and is usually the result of inflammation. Another common symptom that TMJ patients experience is jaw clicking accompanying the pain and a “tired” feeling in the face, neck, shoulder, and upper back region.
Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Some TMJ sufferers experience headaches and migraines as a result of chronic TMJ issues. These are usually caused by tension and inflammation of the delicate muscles that make up the TMJ which include the elevator muscles (responsible for closing the jaw) and the lateral pterygoid (hold the jaw in position so that the teeth can meet).
Jaw Locking
In some severe cases, the jaw can become locked in place because of inflammation of the disc, making it difficult to open or shut your mouth all the way. It can also get “stuck” in place when trying to open your mouth too wide. The locking occurs when the disc separating the upper and lower bones of the TMJ gets caught in a position that does not allow the joint to move. Often, the dislocation of the disc needs to be adjusted by your dentist and can be very painful.
Ear, Sinus, and Neck Pain
It’s common for TMJ pain to radiate to other areas of the body including the ears, sinuses, neck, and shoulders. If you experience tension or achiness in these areas, it can be the result of a TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder can also cause symptoms like tinnitus, or ear ringing.