TMJ - Clenching and grinding in Vestavia Hills AL | Fulton Dental

Temporomandibular joint disorders are problems caused by the joints that connect the jawbone to the skull. The joints present on the side of the ears cause painful sensations while moving the jaws. The dentists of Fulton Dental suggest treatments that can help resolve TMJ disorder.

Symptoms of TMJ

The patient experiences various signs that signify TMJ disorder, a few of which have been listed below.

Extreme pain in the jaw.
Discomfort while chewing food.
Painful sensation around the ears and the face.
Locked jaws.

What Causes TMJ Disorder?

There are an array of reasons that may cause TMJ disorders. Some patients experience it due to habits like clenching and grinding. Patients who are diagnosed with arthritis may have pain in the jaw. It is also detected in patients who undergo much stress on an everyday basis. Unaligned teeth may cause tension in the jaws and lead to TMJ disorder.

Treatmentsfor TMJ Disorder

Therapies

There are three effective therapies that are performed to provide relief from TMJ disorder.

Radio wave therapy: It helps to increase blood flow in the joint area.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): It is a treatment method where a low-level electric current is used to relax the facial muscles.

Low-level laser therapy: The dentist uses a laser system that helps move the neck and mouth without painful sensation.

Surgery

The dentists perform various surgeries like Arthrocentesis, Open-joint surgery, and Arthroscopy after considering the symptoms that cause TMJ Disorder.

Nightguard

The dentists suggest the use of a Night Guard while sleeping. It is placed on the upper or lower teeth and serves as an effective treatment that resolves clenching and grinding of teeth.

Injection

Dentists provide trigger point injections to the patients, which helps to relax the muscles. It helps to numb the points on the face and resolves the discomfort caused by the pain.

Dental Work

Some patients are advised to receive orthodontic treatments to resolve TMJ disorders. It helps to correct the alignment of the teeth that enables relief from the disease.

Medications

Antidepressants and muscle relaxants are prescribed for the patients, which help to provide a relaxed sensation.

Fulton Dental, located at Vestavia Hills, AL, is equipped with expert dentists and modern technologies that enable patients' best dental care facilities. Dial 205-822-3838 and book an appointment with the dentistry to know more about treatments for TMJ and other dental services.