TMJ and Bruxism Treatments
Temporomandibular joint disorder, usually referred to as TMJ or TMD, can cause chronic pain and a variety of symptoms that interfere with your life. At Dentistry of Fishers, we treat TMD and a common cause of TMJ pain, known as bruxism, to relieve discomfort, so our patients can enjoy a pain-free existence and fantastic oral health.
What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
The temporomandibular joint works like a hinge, connecting the lower jaw to the skull. When this joint becomes injured, inflamed, or irritated, patients can experience painful symptoms, like:
- Muscle spasms
- Ringing in their ears
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Pain in the neck or face area, and sometimes even in the shoulders
- Swelling
- Popping, grinding, or clicking sounds in the jaw
- A “sticky” jaw that doesn’t want to open and close
- Toothaches
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, Dr. Jones can carefully examine your jaw and TMJ area in our Fishers dental office to make an accurate diagnosis.
What Is Bruxism?
With bruxism, patients often grind their teeth or clench their jaw while sleeping or without even realizing it while they’re awake. Patients with “sleep bruxism,” who experience bruxism symptoms overnight, may have other sleep disorders as well, like sleep apnea.
While we’re not sure exactly what causes bruxism, there are several possibilities. For example, you may grind your teeth due to stress or anxiety, or you may develop bruxism as a side effect of a medication. It’s also possible that genetic factors are involved.
Whatever the cause, bruxism commonly leads to TMJ pain, worn teeth, bite misalignment, and other issues. Fortunately, Dr. Jeremy Jones, DMD, can treat bruxism, and your TMJ pain, in our state-of-the-art dental office in Fishers.
Treating TMJ Pain in Fishers
We diagnose bruxism and TMJ problems at Dentistry of Fishers with thorough exams, digital x-rays, and advanced technologies, like 3-D cone beam imaging.
Once we have a diagnosis, we can work with you to create an appropriate treatment plan.
Common treatments for TMD and bruxism include:
- A night guard
- A bite guard
- Occlusal adjustments
All these treatments are non-invasive and have helped many patients reduce or eliminate TMJ pain.
What Is Occlusal Adjustment?
Occlusion refers to your bite, and an occlusal adjustment is an adjustment to your bite. With an occlusal adjustment, we can smooth and modify certain areas of your teeth to create better contact patterns. It’s a conservative and safe method for making bite improvements, relieving TMJ pain and fixing many other oral health issues.
Book Your Consultation for TMJ Treatment
At Dentistry of Fishers, we treat TMD and bruxism to relieve pain and help our patients enjoy the best oral health. If you suspect or have been diagnosed with TMD or bruxism, our dedicated dentist, Dr. Jones, provides excellent care and treatments and will work with you to find the proper treatment for your problem.
We welcome questions about TMD and bruxism and our services. Contact our friendly team of dental professionals today so we can address your concerns and schedule your consultation with Dr. Jones.
