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Symptoms and Treatments of TMJ

Jaw Pain, Teeth Grinding and Occlusal Adjustment

If you suffer from jaw pain, headaches, earaches, or a “clicking” or “popping” sound when you open and close your mouth, you may be experiencing symptoms of TMJ (or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). While grinding your teeth (bruxism) can attribute to TMJ’s development, there are still other varied contributors to the condition, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and other types of trauma. This jaw disorder can be painful, and is different for every patient.

Factors that can cause or exacerbate TMJ disorders include:

Arthritis

Stress or Anxiety

Excessive Gum Chewing

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Grinding your teeth is far more damaging than you may originally think. Whether you are grinding your teeth during the day or at night, the long-lasting effects of bruxism can result in jaw pain, TMJ and the treatment thereafter. Once you wear down the surfaces of your teeth, they typically become uneven. This unevenness inhibits your mouth from closing properly, and further irritates your jaw. If you are concerned about bruxism, or notice unevenness in your bite, please contact our office for a consultation regarding TMJ treatment.

Botox®

Dr. Palmer is a certified Botox® provider, and can use this treatment method to reduce or eliminate TMJ symptoms. Rising in popularity, Botox is injected into the facial muscles and works to temporarily reduce muscle activity which helps relieve jaw tension. Botox is considered a non-surgical procedure and patients often report improvements within days of their first treatment. Botox may be your answer to TMJ pain, so contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Occlusal Adjustment

Occlusal adjustment is a TMJ treatment that enables you to have a more even bite. At your visit, Dr. Kristina Palmer will have you bite down on a thin sheet of mylar paper—a color-transferring strip that shows us where your teeth are touching. After an evaluation as to where interferences are, Dr. Palmer will remove a thin amount of tooth surface to ensure proper closing. Upon completion of the procedure, you should be able to close your mouth more comfortably, helping to reduce the clicking and popping sounds, headaches or excess jaw pain from before.

If you are experiencing jaw pain or would like to learn more about TMJ symptoms or treatments, please call our Lansing, MI office at 517-213-4505 today to schedule your visit with Dr. Kristina Palmer!