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Expert TMD Treatment in Brickell for Jaw Pain Relief

At HQ Dontics, we offer specialized treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) to help alleviate jaw pain and restore comfort to your everyday life. TMD affects the joints that connect your jaw to your skull, leading to a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. Our experienced dental professionals are dedicated to diagnosing and treating TMD effectively, using advanced techniques to provide lasting relief and improve your quality of life.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic jaw discomfort, clicking sounds, or facial pain, our team will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.

What Is TMD?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. These disorders are often incorrectly called TMJ, which stands for temporomandibular joint.

 

Expert TMD Treatment in Brickell for Jaw Pain Relief - HQ Dontics

What Are the symptoms of TMD?

 

People with TMD can experience severe pain and discomfort that can be temporary or last for many years. More women than men experience TMD, and TMD is seen most commonly in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
Common symptoms of TMD include:

  • Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide.
  • Limited ability to open the mouth very wide.
  • Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position.
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain) or chewing.
  • A tired feeling on the face.
  • Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite – as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly.
  • Swelling on the side of the face.
  • May occur on one or both sides of the face.
  • Other common symptoms of TMD include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

 

How Is TMD Diagnosed?

 

Because many other conditions can cause similar symptoms to TMD – including a toothache, sinus problems, arthritis, or gum disease – We need to conduct a careful patient history and physical examination to determine the cause of your symptoms.

We will examine your temporomandibular joints for pain or tenderness; listen for clicking, popping, or grating sounds during jaw movement; look for limited motion or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth, and examine bite and facial muscle function. Sometimes panoramic X-rays will be taken. These full-face X-rays allow viewing the entire jaw, temporomandibular joint, and teeth to make sure other problems aren’t causing the TMD symptoms. Sometimes, other imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT), are needed. The MRI views the soft tissue such as the TMJ disc to see if it is in the proper position as the jaw moves. A CT scan helps view the bony detail of the joint.

Basic Treatments for TMD

 

Treatments for TMD range from simple self-care practices and conservative treatments to injections and surgery. Most experts agree that treatment should begin with conservative, nonsurgical therapies first, with surgery left as the last resort. Many of the treatments listed below often work best when used in combination.

Some basic, conservative treatments for TMD include:

  • Apply moist heat or cold packs. Apply an ice pack to the side of your face and temple area for about 10 minutes.
  • Do a few simple stretching exercises for your jaw (as instructed by your dentist or physical therapist). After exercising, apply a warm towel or washcloth to the side of your face for about 5 minutes. Perform this routine a few times each day.
  • Eat soft foods. Eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, soup, scrambled eggs, fish, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, and grains. In addition, cut foods into small pieces to decrease the amount of chewing required. Avoid hard and crunchy foods (like hard rolls, pretzels, and raw carrots), chewy foods (like caramels and taffy), and thick and large foods that require your mouth to open wide to fit.
  • Take medications. To relieve muscle pain and swelling, try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve). Muscle relaxants, especially for people who grind or clench their teeth, can help relax tight jaw muscles. Anti-anxiety medications can help relieve stress that is sometimes thought to aggravate TMD. Antidepressants, when used in low doses, can also help reduce or control pain. Muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants are available by prescription only.
  • Low-level laser therapy. This is used to reduce the pain and inflammation, as well as increase the range of motion to the neck and in opening the mouth.
  • Wear a night guard to prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming together, lessening the effects of clenching or grinding the teeth.
  • Undergo corrective dental treatments. Corrective treatments include replacing missing teeth and using crowns, bridges, or braces to balance the biting surfaces of your teeth or to correct a bite problem.
  • Avoid extreme jaw movements. Keep yawning and chewing (especially gum or ice) to a minimum and avoid extreme jaw movements such as yelling or singing.
  • Don’t rest your chin on your hand or hold the telephone between your shoulder and ear. Practice good posture to reduce neck and facial pain.
  • Keep your teeth slightly apart as often as you can to relieve pressure on the jaw. To control clenching or grinding during the day, place your tongue between your teeth.
  • Learning relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw. Ask your dentist about the need for physical therapy or massage. Consider stress reduction therapy, including biofeedback.

HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Symptoms may include pain in the joint itself, pain in the muscles of mastication, and limited movement of the lower jaw.
  • A careful history and physical examination are needed to determine the cause of your symptoms.
  • Treatments for TMD range from simple self-care practices and conservative treatments to injections and surgery.
  • We may recommend wearing a night guard or corrective treatments such as replacing missing teeth and using crowns, bridges, or braces to balance the biting surfaces of your teeth or to correct a bite problem.

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