Do You Have TMJ? Consider These Symptoms
While the symptoms of TMJ disorder will differ from person to person, there are many that most patients will suffer from.
Temporomandibular joint disorder – better known as TMJ – is a jaw disorder directly affecting the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jawbone to your skull. If your TMJ malfunctions, it results in various painful – and sometimes debilitating – symptoms. Before assuming you have TMJ disorder, check this list of common symptoms to see if you have any of them:
Symptoms of the Jaw
Other than the typical jaw pain, TMJ can lead to trouble chewing, opening or closing the jaw, speaking, or lockjaw.
Clicking or popping noises coming from the jaw are also common. If you are experiencing consistent jaw pain, consider TMJ treatment in Denver to ease your discomfort.
Facial, Ear, and Head Pain
TMJ affects much more than your jaw. A malfunctioning temporomandibular joint can lead to back, facial, neck, and shoulder pain. It can surface in the form of chronic morning headaches, migraines, bruxism, or teeth grinding (which can lead to chipped teeth over time.)
If the temporomandibular joint becomes inflamed, it can affect your eardrum. This can lead to tinnitus or ringing in one or both ears.
Other Bodily Symptoms of TMJ
Although TMJ in Denver, CO, is a jaw disorder, it can affect you – quite literally – from your head to your toes.
A misaligned jaw can increase nighttime snoring. TMJ can also cause dizziness, vertigo, or numbness/tingling in your fingers.
If you have three or more TMJ symptoms, you likely have TMJ. However, it’s also possible that you have symptoms you haven’t noticed or have discounted. If you have any of these symptoms and they are affecting your life, consider TMJ as a potential cause. TMJ is especially likely if other treatments you’ve tried aren’t working.
Treating Your TMJ
When it comes to treatment, many physicians and even dentists will either opt to treat the symptoms or rely on surgery to fix the misaligned jaw. However, with advances in neuromuscular dentistry, dentists now have the ability to treat the source that is causing TMJ symptoms. This approach is much more conservative and is proven to work reliably for many patients. Dr. Berry favors this approach and will work with each and every patient to pinpoint and treat the cause of TMJ symptoms. He will use advanced technologies like the TENS systems to examine your jaw and determine where your ideal bite is.
Using a neuromuscular orthotic, also called a bite splint, Dr. Berry will then adjust your bite to the new ideal position. This ensures that the jaw bone and joints are in proper alignment which means proper balance and total relaxation for the TMJ. The bite splint is a great method to getting rid of TMD symptoms that cause pain and discomfort for so many dental patients today.
In order to offer the best treatment for your needs, Dr. Berry also has the training necessary to use BOTOX ® as a treatment option for TMJ. Tension in your facial muscles can pull your jaw out of alignment. By targeting these muscles and allowing them to relax, BOTOX ® relieves your pain at the source.
Protect Your Teeth, Your Health, and Your Physical Well-Being with Dr. Berry
Dr. Berry is experienced in diagnosing and treating TMJ for patients of all ages and health conditions. Don’t force yourself to experience daily headaches and jaw pain because of TMJ.
Contact our office by calling (303) 691-0267. If it is more convenient for you, patients can also use our online contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you!
TMJ Video Illustrations
The following video clips were made, using frozen cadaver specimens, by Dr. Per Westesson at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.
