TMJ & Bruxism Problems
Spokane Valley, WA
 Our jaw is an integral part of our dental structure, and maintaining optimal jaw functionality is absolutely essential. However, some voluntary, involuntary, temporary, and permanent habits and conditions can disturb the jaw's mechanism, making basic movements extremely painful. One such condition is Bruxism, which can result in a person developing the TMJ disorder.
At Serenity Dental, we help patients prevent the formation of such disorders. We also offer extensive treatment options to restore the jaw to optimal functionality.
What is the TMJ Disorder
The jaw is connected to the skull through two joints, known as temporomandibular joints, one on either side of the face. The temporomandibular joints and are located at the very end of your jaw. They allow you to open and close the mouth, chew, and move the lower jaw from side to side.
A temporomandibular joint disorder, TMJ disorder, for short, is the term that encompasses issues that may affect the functionality of these joints. Issues in these joints can cause significant problems for you.
You may experience trouble speaking, eating, and performing simple tasks that require even the slight opening of the mouth can become very painful. They may also lead to significant inflammation and irritation in the joints.
There are various reasons why one may develop TMJ disorders, such as Bruxism.
What is Bruxism
Bruxism is the condition in which people grind their teeth by clenching their jaw. It is a very common condition. Many people clench their jaws out of stress; others do it involuntarily in their sleep. Some people also have chronic Bruxism that they have no control over. In fact, a substantial amount of people have no control over muscle movement, which is why Bruxism is common at night.
Constantly grinding your teeth can lead to muscular degeneration. It can wear out your muscles and also irritates your temporomandibular joints, leading to TMJ disorders.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
There are many symptoms of TMJ and Bruxism.
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Jaw pain – Pain in the temporomandibular joints
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Pain eating and speaking
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Clicking and popping in the joints
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Headaches, earaches
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Temporary jaw locks |
Bruxism can also cause uneven tooth wear, and result in substantial stiffness in the jaw and create jaw misalignment. If you experience any sort of pain and discomfort when opening your mouth to eat or speak, you should visit your dentist.
Diagnosing and Treating TMJ and Bruxism
At Serenity Dental, we first analyze the wear pattern on your teeth for TMJ disorders often occur as a result of Bruxism.
We conduct a thorough oral exam to identify any alignment and oral health problems that we may need to fix. We do so with the help of x-rays that help us identify damage to teeth, their roots, and the jaw bone and joints. The next step is to check for jaw alignment to understand the extent of the damage to the dental structure before we start the treatment process.
Treatment options include:
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Using an oral guard – An oral guard is worn over the teeth and is an ideal solution for those who grind their teeth during their sleep. The guard protects the teeth and absorbs the movement's impact, substantially reducing the amount of stress on the jaw.
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Botox Injections – Bruxism results from a lack of control over muscle movement in the jaw. You can get botox injections to weaken these muscles, which subsequently prevents the excess movement and stops the teeth from clenching.
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Surgery – If the condition becomes extremely severe and you are unable to open your jaw, you may need to opt for oral surgery. Your dentist may also recommend surgery if your jaw is misaligned as a consequence of the joint disorder. |
Professional at Serenity Dental can help diagnose and treat Bruxism and TMJ disorders both. If you are experience jaw pain and discomfort, reach out to us today or visit our website for a complete list of our services. |
