If you experience soreness or pain in the jaw, you may want to talk with your dentist about TMJ treatment and whether the condition is causing your pain or other issues. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is a serious condition that causes stiffness in the joints of the jaw, pain, soreness, swelling, and loss of movement. It is also called Lockjaw.
Do not worry if you find yourself with this disorder; there are several ways that your dentist can treat the condition, depending on the root cause of the condition. Though it can be very severe and serious, dentists are experts in dealing with conditions that affect the jaw.
Sometimes the cause of Lockjaw is that the jaw is simply out of alignment. This can be caused by an injury or a strong blow to the jaw, in which the jaw is knocked loose from the joints that hold it in place. This would cause intense pain and inability to move the jaw. Treatment, in this case, is quite simple; the dentist will manually reposition the jawbone into the proper place.
This simply means that the dentist will reach into the patient's mouth with their hands, find the location of the jawbone, and put it back into the socket. Patients usually see relief immediately and can manage the symptoms with over-the-counter medications.
Sometimes TMJ is not caused by a problem with the jaw but is indirectly caused by another issue affecting the jaw. In these cases, identifying and fixing the root cause is the best course of treatment.
One of the most common causes of Lockjaw unrelated to the jaw is clenching or grinding of the teeth, particularly at night. You see, clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth puts an incredible amount of pressure on the jawbone for long periods of time. This can eventually cause soreness and swelling that can limit the total movement of the jaw. To fix the condition, the dentist will prescribe a special night guard that will prevent clenching and grinding, thus taking the pressure off the jawbone and eliminating the disorder's symptoms over time.
You might think that Botox is just for removing wrinkles and making skin look younger, but when it comes to joint dysfunction, it is a valuable tool. Sometimes, it is caused by tightening the muscles around the jaw joint. This tightening can eventually paralyze the jaw, leaving it stuck in the open or closed position if untreated.
That is why Botox is such an important treatment. Injecting Botox into these muscles actually causes them to loosen up, making the jaw able to move as normal again. This is a very effective solution to fix the issue. Another option is surgery on the muscles around the joints.
Losing the ability to move your jaw can be devastating. If you start noticing symptoms affecting your jaw, it is best to get to your dentist immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to treat the condition. With the help of your dentist, they will be able to identify the cause of your situation and use the most effective treatment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.lightbreezedental.com or call Light Breeze Dental at (949) 274-4719 for an appointment in our Irvine office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: TMJ in Irvine, CA.
A TMJ dentist focuses on treating temporomandibular joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, is a condition that occurs when the socket that connects your lower jaw and skull is misaligned or out of place. TMJ disorder is known to be commonly associated with constant headaches, migraines, ringing in the ears, teeth grinding and…
Currently having jaw problems? Wondering if you have TMJ? You just might be right, although the correct term would be TMD. While this inconvenient jaw issue has affected millions of people over the years no one is really sure of the true causes of this popular dental syndrome. Although, the following list is believed to…
When you visit us for a TMJ treatment in Irvine, we can help you feel better right away. While few people are aware of what TMJ is, they are impacted by its symptoms. TMJ disorder is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to the rest of your head, allowing your jaw…
If you have jaw pain, a TMJ Dentist can help. TMJ can be extremely painful. It can impact your jaw, head, neck, and face. Initially, it may cause subtle pain and headaches. Many people mistake TMJ for something else because these initial signs are similar to headaches you can get in normal everyday life. The…
Invisalign® is a great treatment to undergo to straighten crooked, gapped, or crowded teeth.
If you are in a new location or just need to find a new "dentist…
Pain is often the first indicator that you may require a visit to the emergency…
Implants restore the full function of the mouth and revitalize smiles.
Trusting your smile to a dentist is a big commitment, so choosing the right type…
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that a dentist can place over teeth to alter a…
