"Providing comprehensive general, cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, including treatment for TMD, to people who value excellence and care"
You could have temporomandibular dysfunction or issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) if you suffer from constant headaches, jaw pain, dizziness or irritating headaches
Effective treatment is available through neuromuscular therapy. Painless and drug free, neuromuscular therapy can treat TMJ syndrome, freeing you of headaches, giving you a restful night’s sleep and a confident beautiful smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the joints that connect the jawbone to the skull. When one or both of these joints wear down and begin to lose their functionality, the problem can be painful and frustrating.
To help you understand the causes, symptoms and treatments of TMD, our professional neuromuscular dentists have answered the most common questions asked by our patients.
What Is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction?
When the disc in your TMJ is damaged, the cushioning cartilage that surrounds it may move out of position. Over time, this problem can cause pain, jaw-locking, jaw-clicking, and a misaligned bite.
What Causes TMD?
There are many different causes of TMD. Excessive clenching of the jaw, teeth grinding (bruxism), sleep apnoea or disordered breathing can all cause damage to the joint. TMD can also be caused by injuries to the head and neck, arthritis, joint hypermobility, or a poorly aligned bite.
Even something as simple as poor posture can cause TMD. For example, if you lean your head forward for long periods of time while using a computer screen. As the onset of TMD can be gradual and slow, it may be caused by a combination of issues over time.
What are the Symptoms of TMD?
A surprising 70 percent of people show signs of TMD and are pain free, so how do you know if TMJ is an issue for you? People with TMD usually present with one or a number of the following symptoms:
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- Pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder or back
- Ringing or congestion in the ears
- Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
- Damaged fillings from a misaligned bite
- Crowded teeth
- Tooth pain and sensitivity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Limited movement/opening of the mouth
- Clicking and popping in the joint
- Loss of chewing ability
What are the treatments for TMD?
The Dental Boutique offers effective treatment solutions for TMD, however it’s essential an assessment is made prior to commencement of any other dental treatment. This is because treating a person with TMD demands a precise and different approach to dentistry.
Most treatment options focus on restoration of the joint by eliminating muscle spasms and restoring correct coordination. Options include:
- Wearing an oral appliance to prevent the jaws from grinding throughout the night.
- Neuromuscular therapy to relax the joint, and to restore and retrain the muscles back to primary function.
- Surgery, although this should only be considered as a last-resort.
As a specialist area of dentistry, only a minority of dentists is trained to diagnose and treat jaw joint dysfunction. We’re proud to say The Dental Boutique is home to one of Australia’s leading dentists in this specialty area, Dr Leanne Malisano.
