TMJ

What is TMJ?

Temporomandibular joint disorders, often shortened to TMJ, are characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, or other painful symptoms affecting the hinge joints connecting your lower jaw to your temples. These symptoms can stem from a wide range of issues, including:

• Arthritis
• Impact injury
• Disc erosion
• Long-term teeth grinding

Even if the exact cause is unknown, the team at Montclair Orthodontics can ease your symptoms with home care or nonsurgical treatments. Jaw surgery might be necessary in some severe cases that don’t respond to conservative treatments. 

While TMJ symptoms often resolve without professional help, they can return. You should book an appointment at Montclair Orthodocntics if your pain is persistent or if you can’t fully open or close your mouth because of the stiffness in your jaw. 

What are the symptoms of TMJ?

Symptoms of TMJ often extend beyond general jaw pain. In fact, you might feel pain in other areas as a result of your TMJ. Common symptoms of TMJ include:

• Pain near your ears
• Inability to open your mouth wide
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Frequent headaches
• Jaw locking
• Increased pain while chewing
• Clicking sounds when you open your mouth
• Grating sensations

When you come in with symptoms, your dentist evaluates you, asks about your medical history, and might take X-rays to view the joints. Once they determine the severity of your condition, the team can design a treatment plan. 

How can I manage my TMJ?

Montclair Orthodontics offers several treatment options for TMJ, and your dentist might recommend more than one for the best possible outcome. Your treatment plan for TMJ might include:

• Facial relaxation exercises
• Night guard to limit teeth grinding
• Medications
• Lifestyle changes
• Restorative or orthodontic dental treatments

The team generally begins your treatment with conservative methods. They might recommend limiting your diet to soft foods for a while or suggest applying heat or cold to ease the pain. If nonsurgical treatments aren’t enough to relieve your severe TMJ symptoms, jaw surgery may be necessary. If you need surgery, the team tells you what you can expect and how the surgery can repair or restore the joints. 

If your jaw clicks, grates, or is causing painful symptoms, call Montclair Orthodontics for a TMJ evaluation or book your appointment online today.