If I do nothing, will the pain go away?
The symptoms can go away overtime; ranging from weeks to years. However, TMD can involve more serious and chronic problems affecting the jaw’s muscles and ligaments; this can lead to chronic jaw pain due to the misalignment. TMD can lead to permanent joint damage; bone-on-bone contact or abnormal movement of the joint can cause abnormal wear to the bones and surrounding structures can be damaged or even pinched in the irregular joint. Therefore, proper diagnosis is essential when problems like ...
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What is a fixed Orthotic?
Once the splint therapy has been effective and the bite and jaws are stabilizing it will be possible to complete a diagnostic wax-up of a proposed treatment position at this time. This is usually done on the lower jaw and the existing restorations are abraded and a plastic overlay is applied on top of them at the new bite relationship for wear as a TRIAL BITE: Some refinement is required and once a stable and comfortable and repeatable position is ...
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What is a (bite) Occlusal Splint?
An occlusal splint is a diagnostic and treatment appliance of clear acrylic plastic which fits over the upper teeth. The side of the palate, insides, and just the tops of the teeth are covered. Various clasps at the back of the mouth assist retention. A precise model of the upper and lower teeth is made from accurate impressions. A registration of jaw relationships at the desired treatment position is secured. The required laboratory work takes from 10 days to 2 ...
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How long will it take for me to recover?
Treatment time can be 6months several years depending on what needs to be done.
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What can I do to ease my TMD pain?
If your jaw is locked open or closed, see a dentist straight away.
Eating soft foods.
Applying cold and moist heat.
Avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, loud singing, and gum chewing)
Anti-inflammatory pain medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve) may ease the pain of TMJ. Then make an appointment to see your dentist.
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What treatment is available for TMD?
However, TMD can involve more serious and chronic problems affecting the jaw’s muscles and ligaments; this can lead to chronic jaw pain due to the misalignment. TMJ can lead to permanent joint damage; bone-on-bone contact or abnormal movement of the joint can cause abnormal wear to the bones and surrounding structures can be damaged or even pinched in the irregular joint. Therefore, proper diagnosis is essential when problems like jaw clicking arise, from this, appropriate treatment for your situation can ...
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How do you diagnose TMD?
A thorough examination may involve:
- A dental examination to show if you have poor bite alignment
- An MRI of the jaw area
- Feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness
- Pressing around the head for areas that are sensitive or painful
- Sliding the teeth from side to side
- Watching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shut
- X-rays to show abnormalities
In some cases, the results of the physical exam may appear normal.
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What Causes TMD?
- Whiplash (cervical acceleration/deceleration)
- Air bag deployment
- Opening the jaw too wide
- Bruxism (Clenching/grinding)
- Malocclusion (Bad bite)
- Orthodontics
- Ligament laxity
- Stress
- Systemic diseases
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What are the symptoms of TMD?
- Pain or tenderness of your jaw
- Aching pain in and around your ear
- Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing
- Aching facial pain
- Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
- Headache
- Uncomfortable bite
- An uneven bite, because one or more teeth are making premature contact
TMJ disorders can also cause a clicking sound or grating sensation when you open your mouth or chew. But if there’s no pain or limitation of movement associated with your jaw clicking, you probably don’t have a TMJ ...
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What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ, is the ball and socket joint that connects the lower jaw to the bone on each side of the head. The temporomandibular joint is stabilized by muscles that make it possible to open and close the mouth. The pain, discomfort or tenderness in or around these joints are referred to as TMJ disorders or TMD
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