Are you suffering from jaw pain or migraines? It may be more serious than a little lock jaw or a slight bump to the head. If you’re experience jaw pain or continuous migraines, read on to find out what may be causing these symptoms or stop by our office to talk with us about your pain.
So, What Exactly is TMJ?
TMJ, short for Temporomandibular Joint, is more commonly known as the joint in your jaw. TMJ is also commonly referred to as temporomandibular disorder, in reference to the pain and dysfunction it can cause. These two joints allow you to chew food, speak, sing, laugh, and talk with your friends, pain-free. So what happens when these joints don’t work as smoothly and continuously as they should? When your joints don’t work as well as they should, it may be a case of TMJ. TMJ can be serious if not treated correctly. Often, TMJ can easily be mistaken for a migraine, an eye infection, or a sinus headache.
What Can Cause TMJ?
TMJ can be caused by a number of factors, some that are preventable, and unfortunately some that are not.
- Shifting teeth
- Missing teeth
- Injury to the jaw joint
- Misaligned jaw
- Sleep disorders
- Clenching your jaw
- Arthritis
How We Can Treat TMJ
TMJ treatment varies from patient to patient. There are many different solutions that we can adjust to meet your specific case.
When our team at Think Better Life determines what your exact diagnosis is, we will start prescribing you one of three phases of treatment. The first phase is to get your life back to normal. This phase typically involves non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractics, and orthotics. Our second phase revolves around getting your life as painless as possible in the long term. This phrase may include procedures like coronoplasty and occlusal equilibration. In some cases, we can reduce your pain in the long run by using orthodontics to create a healthier smile. Our third phase, which most patients do not need, is joint surgery. This is a very rare occurrence, as most cases can be taken care of with the help of our first two steps!
We want you to live your best life possible, free from the pain or discomfort of TMJ. If you would like to find out more about TMJ, or if you think TMJ may be causing your pain or discomfort, take our TMJ questionnaire online or swing by our office for a consultation.
