Feeling pain in your jaw? Limited movement or locking of the jaw?
You may be experiencing constant pain in the jaw joint which allows the movements necessary for eating, talking, swallowing and even yawning. As one of the most frequently used joints in your body, we want to ensure you aren’t suffering.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (commonly known as TMJ Syndrome or TMD) describes the pain caused by the incorrect function of the muscles that move the jaw and joints which connect to the lower jaw to the skull. If you suffer from TMJ you may experience pain, restricted movement and joint noise during movements of your jaw.
TMJ may be caused by injury to the teeth or jaws, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding or clenching, poor posture, stress and arthritis. In many cases, the symptoms can be resolved by a removeable appliance (or splint) that your dentist can provide.
Need to Know
Appointments
- At least 2 appointments
- At the consultation, your dentist will recommend the best treatment option for you. If appropriate, they will take impressions for an appliance, such as a splint. They may also refer you to a dental specialist or physiotherapist.
- At the next visit, if the dentist suggests a splint, this will be fitted and adjusted.
- Further appointments may be necessary for adjustments.
How long it takes?
- The consultation will take around 30 minutes, however it is longer if impressions of the mouth are taken to fit a dental appliance
- The fitting of the appliance usually takes around 30 minutes
You may be asked about
- Your dental and medical history
- The type of pain you’ve been experiencing and how long it for
Before your appointment
No special preparation is needed
After your appointment
- You will need to follow the care instructions as recommended by your dentist
- If you require a dental appliance, you may feel some discomfort while adjusting to this.
Quick tip
Keep track of the changes you notice after treatment, it will be amazing what difference it can make.
FAQs
The cost involved in treating TMJ will vary depending on the type of treatment recommended by your dentist. There are a few different ways to treat TMJ, some more expensive than others. Your dentist will recommend a treatment option best suited to you and give you an estimate of the price and payment options during your consultation visit.
Many cases of TMJ pain, it won’t be resolved without treatment. If you are experiencing constant jaw pain, we recommend visiting a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will recommend a treatment option best suited to you, which may require a specialist to help.
There are a few different methods dentists can use to treat TMJ once it has been diagnosed. This could be as simple as identifying and managing the cause (e.g. stress and tooth clenching), doing some simple jaw exercises or wearing a splint. Your dentist will be able to help with these. In more complex cases, your Maven dentist may refer you to an appropriate specialist.