TMJ Treatment
Burbank, CA
TMJ Treatment provided by Lawrence Toomin, DDS
and Mark Bieber, DDS
in Burbank, CA at Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry
Temporomandibular joint disorders or TMD (mistakenly called TMJ) are disorders of the jawbone joints that can cause pain and discomfort. When your jaw functions normally, it allows you to seamlessly open and close your mouth, but many people suffer from pain in this joint.
Here at Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry our experienced staff will help you if you experience any symptoms of TMD.
What is the TMJ?
If you place your fingers by the opening of either ear and open and close your mouth, you will feel how the temporomandibular joint works. If you have a misalignment in the jaw, you may feel popping that could cause you pain. When your TMJ works correctly, it allows you to eat, yawn, and speak. You do these things countless times in a day, and when there is inflammation with the joints, it can make your routine activities painful.
Causes of TMJ Inflammation
If your TMJ is not working as it's designed to, it can become inflamed. Anytime there is inflammation the body responds by feeling pain in the area to alert you to a problem.
There are many reasons the TMJ becomes inflamed. Among them are:
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Bruxism or the unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth
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Stress or anxiety
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Chewing gum or hard foods
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Arthritis
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Excessive alcohol consumption
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Caffeine
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Problems with neck or back alignment
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Traumatic injury
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Gum disease
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Abscess tooth
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Tooth decay |
TMJ Inflammation Treatment
In general, any time there is a problem with the way in which your TMJ works there can be inflammation or irritation. It is imperative to understand the cause of the swelling or discomfort. You must also realize that things that may seem unrelated could be causing your inflammation.
Sleep position, lifestyle, and things like allergies are surprising culprits with TMJ inflammation.
By the time you feel inflammation in your joint, the TMJ is persistent and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory only goes so far. It may temporarily reduce the discomfort, but the symptoms are probably going to come back.
There are several treatment options including:
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Pain relievers
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Antidepressants
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Muscle relaxants
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Mouthguards
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Ultrasound
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Heat or ice |
Sometimes the TMD is temporary and goes away with time. In the meantime, you can also try meditation or relaxation techniques if you suffer from anxiety or stress.
When you come in to Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry in Burbank, CA we will ask you about your TMJ and when did you first start experiencing pain in the joints. Our doctor will also examine your joint in several ways, including placing his or her fingers by your ears to observe how the muscles are working. We will ask other questions, including if specific activities trigger pain. Please contact us if you have any other question about your appointment. |
