TMJ/TMD Treatment

Could you be suffering from TMD/TMJ?

TMJ, although it has become almost a household word, is a non-specific, catch-all term for a variety of pain/dysfunction conditions of the head and neck.

What is TMJ or TMD?

Was originally derived from “Temporomandibular Joint,” your jaw joints – once thought to be the source of most of these ailments. Today we know that there are many causes of head and neck problems that may or may not be related to the temporomandibular joint. For this reason, although nat as widely familiar, most dentists use “TMD” (for temporomandibular disorders) to more accurately describe the condition. Do you experience any of the following symptoms?

Headaches
Facial pain
Worn, chipping or cracked teeth
Cracking or chipping dental restorations
Neck and shoulder pain
Jaw pain
Ear congestion
Ringing in the ears
Clicking or popping in the joints
Clenching or bruxism
Limited opening of the mouth
Loose teeth

The Diagnosis

Dr. Cameron will consider all of the information gathered by taking your history and doing a physical examination of your teeth, head and neck. Data from these tests will indicate whether your bite is a major contributing factor to your problem and will help rule in or rule out your bite as the cause of, or major component of, your condition. If these tests show that your habitual bite is a probable cause of your condition or pain, Dr. Cameron will then identify a jaw position while the jaw muscles are in a relaxed state. This jaw position and the corresponding new bite is called neuromuscular occlusion.

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Treatment

An orthotic is a custom made appliance fabricated of plastic that can be worn over the teeth to maintain the neuromuscularly derived bite position. At this point, nothing is done to permanently alter your bite. You typically wear this plastic appliance for a prescribed period of time to verify that this new jaw position solves or reduces the problem. If it does, it has proven that the imperfect bite was the cause of the problem and you may elect to go on and have your natural teeth treated to permanently maintain that new bite position. We also offer Trigger point injections. They are relatively comfortable and are performed in-office.

Can any dentist treat TMJ?” TMJ/TMD requires both specialized training and equipment to diagnose and treat. Dr. Cameron’s TMJ clinic focuses on Conservative, non-surgical procedures, with the goal to alleviate pain and restore proper form and function to the jaw.

TMD – The Great Impostor
This “chameleon” of dental disorders manifests in a variety of ways, including joint pain, sinusitus, ear pain, tooth and headaches. Dear Doctor magazine examines the causes of TMD, its signs and symptoms and what can be done to treat this common disorder... Read Article

TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorders, is an umbrella term for various painful conditions that affect the jaw joints. There are different treatment approaches to TMD problems, but not all are based on science. It's important to be up on the latest information and to be an educated consumer. In this comprehensive article, Dear Doctor magazine provides state-of-the-art information and guidance on what you should know, whom you should see, and what you should ask... Read Article

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