TMJ Treatment

San Diego COUNTY Dentists Who Are Friendly and Knowledgeable

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex joint that allows for the movement of the jaw. Problems with this joint can cause pain in and around the jaw, face, and neck. These particular issues can develop due to various reasons, such as trauma to the jaw, misaligned teeth, clenching or grinding of the teeth, or arthritis.

A+ Family Dentistry logo icon

Request an Appointment

TMJ PAGE

TREATING TMD ONE HEADACHE AT A TIME

TEETH GRINDING/CLENCHING SOLUTIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY & BEYOND

The jaw joint, also known as the temporomandibular joint (or TMJ), connects the lower jaw to the temporal skull bones directly in front of the ear on each side of the head. It acts like a hinge and is used in activities such as talking and eating. TMJ Disorder (TMD) is a general term used to describe issues with the jaw joint and the muscles attached to it. The tension in the jaw muscles can lead to headaches, neck pain and other symptoms. There can be many causes behind jaw joint issues, including bite misalignment, teeth grinding and injury. At A+ Family Dentistry, we handle many TMD cases. If your TMJ trouble is caused by grinding or clenching your teeth or by poor bite alignment, our doctors can help correct the problem with a state-of-the-art night guard or by altering the chewing surfaces of your teeth to improve your bite.

Symptoms of a malfunctioning TMJ

Typical symptoms of TMJ Disorder (TMD) are:

Facial pain or tenderness around the jaw joint area

Difficulty opening the mouth very wide

Jaws that get “locked”

Clicking, grating, or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth

Headaches

Toothaches

Earaches

Difficulty chewing

Neck pain

Upper shoulder pain

Ringing in the ears

Causes of TMJ problems

Stress. Stress can get people into the habit of tightening their facial and jaw muscles or clenching their teeth.

Arthritis. When arthritis is in the jaw joint, it can cause a number of problems, including TMJ problems.

Trauma. Dental trauma can be a potential cause of TMJ disorder. Any injury to the jaw or the teeth can cause damage to this joint.

Misaligned bite. A misaligned bite means your teeth are not coming together properly. Examples of this are an overbite or underbite. A poor bite causes stress on the muscles and nerves involved in moving the jaw in chewing. This pain can also be “referred” to other parts of the head and neck. Reasons for a misaligned bite include inherited jaw misalignments, injury or broken-down or worn teeth.

Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism). Grinding or clenching your teeth, which patients often do unknowingly in their sleep, can cause a lot of pressure on the TMJ.

Dislocation of the joint from the socket. If your TMJ is dislocated from its socket, it means that the mandibular condyle has moved out of its normal position in the temporal bone socket. This can be a painful and serious condition that requires immediate attention from a dental or medical professional.

Treating TMJ Issues

Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation. The doctor will perform a head and neck exam and check for clicking, popping or jaw pain, then inspect the teeth and jaw for irregularities. Depending on your individual situation, the doctor will recommend the appropriate appliance or do a bite adjustment, or both.

Night guard. A night guard is a plastic mouthpiece custom-designed for your mouth and worn while you are sleeping. It is used to alleviate grinding and clenching of the teeth by preventing the upper and lower teeth from touching, and it corrects the bite by bringing the jaws into a better position. The result is less tension in the jaw joints.

Bite adjustment. The doctor may perform a treatment called occlusal equilibration to adjust the bite. In this procedure, the doctor alters how the patient’s upper and lower teeth bite together by reshaping the chewing surfaces of some or all of the teeth.

GIVE A+ Family Dentistry A CALL TODAY!

The path to a pain-free jaw is closer than you think. To make an appointment, call one of our three convenient San Diego County locations today. Our team would be more than happy to talk with you about safe and effective treatments for TMJ disorder!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TMJ PAIN TREATMENT OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL ONE OF OUR THREE LOCATIONS OR VISIT OUR CONTACT PAGE.

YOUR NEW SMILE STARTS HERE

WHY CHOOSE A+ Family Dentistry

Advanced Dental Technology
Advanced Dental Technology
General, Family & Emergency Dentistry
General, Family & Emergency Dentistry
Comfortable, Caring Treatment
Comfortable, Caring Treatment
Flexible, Non-Insurance Payment Options
Flexible, Non-Insurance Payment Options
Three Convenient Office Locations
Three Convenient Office Locations
Cost-Saving New Patient Specials
Cost-Saving New Patient Specials

HEAR FROM OUR HAPPY PATIENTS

OVER 700+ ONLINE REVIEWS

"I have had such a great experience coming here! I had a few procedures done including cavity fills, cleaning, and teeth whitening. The staff always made sure I was well informed and comfortable. I would 10/10 recommend this place to my family and friends."

Genevieve A.

SAN DIEGO

"A safe space with no negative judgement, gentle care and great staff. Dr. Tran is not only kind and personable, but he and his whole staff are doing such an incredible job! I have had quite a few procedures done here and I’m very excited and proud to make this my primary dentist."

Raquel W.

POWAY

"The A+ family provides a warm welcoming environment to all their patients. They walk you through each process thoroughly to give you confidence that you’re in good hands. Came here as a recommendation from my girlfriend and am happy I did!"

Vinh V.

SORRENTO VALLEY

READ ALL REVIEWS
Share by: