- Have frequent headaches or migraines become more common in your life?
- Do you suffer from chronic earaches or ringing in your ears?
- Is your jaw pain, clicking, popping, or discomfort becoming worse?
- Do you have consistent back, neck, and shoulder pain?
These symptoms and others can indicate temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder. With this condition, the jaw joints are misaligned to the point that surrounding nerves and muscles become extremely irritated. This disharmony in the mouth can originate with bruxism — a common condition that involves clenching and grinding teeth. TMJ disorder may also stem from stress, injury, or heredity.
Dr. Askari is trained and experienced in treating TMJ disorder. She offers various treatments, depending on the patient’s unique case. Often, she recommends a custom oral appliance to hold the jaw in proper position. Over time, jaw muscles may reprogram so that the mouthguard is no longer needed. In some cases, however, the appliance should be worn while sleeping, indefinitely.
When bruxism has worn down molars, TMJ may result because the teeth no longer hold the jaw in correct position. Building up the back teeth with dental restorations, usually crowns, can restore a balanced bite and relieve TMJ symptoms.
Other treatments include physical therapy, changing habits (like gum chewing), and in severe cases, surgery may be required.
Don’t let TMJ pain steal your quality of life. Call Comfort Dental Spa in Farmington Hills, MI if you live in Livonia or surrounding communities. Your consultation with Dr. Askari may be the first step of improving your life forever!