TMJ/TMD Treatment in Chaffee County
Serving: Salida, Poncha Springs, Beuna Vista, Leadville, Gunnison, Crested Butte, Montrose and the rest of Central Colorado
What is TMJ/TMD?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to the skull. It aids in speaking, eating, and jaw mobility.
Any issue with this joint is diagnosed as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. The exact cause of TMD remains unknown, but several factors can trigger it.
Pain caused by tense jaw muscles and teeth grinding can induce headaches.
The size and shape of your jawbone and bite can negatively affect sleep quality. Your airways may become blocked, and this can result in snoring or sleep apnea.
TMJ Disorder Symptoms
Itβs crucial to diagnose and treat TMD as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
It can be hard to differentiate between TMD and non-TMD pain symptoms. But if you suffer on a regular basis from any of the following, your dentist can assess and diagnose if you have TMD.
- Headaches & Migraines: You may unknowingly be getting headaches or migraines due to bite irregularities that are straining the muscles in your jaw, head, and neck.
- Jaw Pain, Jaw Clicking, Jaw Locking: A misaligned jawβs movement is restricted and will make clicking sounds when you open and close your mouth, also resulting in head and neck pain.
- Ear Pain, Facial Pain, Eye Pain: Headaches and jaw pain may be due to issues in your jaw or head and neck alignment. It can be hard to tell unless you seek a proper diagnosis.
- Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Back Pain: Muscles in the body are similar to car parts - each part has a purpose, and theyβre all interconnected. An issue in your jaw muscles can also strain muscles in other parts of your body.
Treating TMJ Disorders at the Dental Office
Relaxation Dental prioritizes non-invasive treatment procedures when applicable. To customize a treatment plan for TMD, we perform a thorough physical patient evaluation in coordination with specialists in other areas of healthcare to ensure effective treatments for our patients.
