How to Make the Most of Your Dental Crown
Do you need a dental crown? If so, you’ll want to find out why you’re having one fabricated and installed, and how to make it last as long as possible before needing replacement.
How are TMJ and TMD Different?
If your jaw clicks when you yawn or chew, you have frequent headaches, or your teeth wear unevenly, you could have a disorder of one or both of the joints connecting your lower jaw to your cranium. In many cases, a dentist is better positioned to help you than a regular physician.
At Lancaster Dental Care Associates in Lancaster, California, cosmetic and family dentist Kamran Saidara, DDS, and his team specialize in TMJ and TMD treatment. But what do TMJ and TMD stand for? Here’s what you need to know.
TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is on the side of your head just in front of your ear. It hinges your lower jaw, or mandible, to the temporal bone cavity area of your skull. You can feel this joint in action if you place your finger in front of your ear and open and close your mouth.
You have two TMJs, one on each side. They let your jaw move up and down, backward and forward, and from side to side as you chew, talk, smile, and so on.
TMD (temporomandibular disorder)
If you have an issue with one or both TMJs, it’s generally called a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). There are more than 30 known types of TMD, but many of the most common are correctable.
Common symptoms of TMD include:
- Pain directly radiating from one or both TMJs
- Grinding sensations or clicking noises when you move your jaw
- Problems with chewing
- Earache or tinnitus
- Back pain
- Headaches or facial pain
- Jaw and/or facial swelling
- Tooth pain
- Locking of the jaw in an open or closed position, or offset to one side
- Uneven wearing of your teeth
The most common cause of TMD is bruxism (grinding your teeth), especially at night. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above and haven’t yet found the cause, a visit to your dentist could reveal you have TMD.
How to treat TMD
Treatment options for TMD may include:
- Modifying your diet, especially if you also have arthritis
- Treating swelling and discomfort with hot and cold packs
- Using oral pain relievers or muscle relaxers to release a locked jaw
- Preventing bruxism with a customized night guard
- Correcting a misaligned jaw using Invisalign
At Lancaster Dental Care Associates, we always treat TMD with conservative methods if possible. Only if these fail will we recommend oral surgery performed by our in-house surgeon.
Has TMD affected your quality of life? Call 661-215-8130 or request an appointment online today for more information about TMJ and TMD.
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