TMJ/TMD Treatment Las Vegas
Temporomandibular disorders (known as TMD) are a common problem affecting the jaw, the jaw joint, and the facial muscles that move the jaw. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the mandible, which is the lower jaw, to the temporal bone. When a person suffers from TMD, they have pain in the jaw joints and experience “popping” or “clicking” sounds when they chew. In Las Vegas TMD affects many people, and ABC Dental Care is available to help relieve the pain caused by these disorders.
Causes Of TMJ/TMD
There are a variety of things that can lead to TMD. Doctors aren’t sure what exactly causes TMD but dentists agree that the problem stems from the muscles of the jaw and/or the jaw joint.
Typical issues that lead to TMD include:
- Injury to the jaw or the TMJ.
- Injury to the head or back.
- Whiplash.
- Grinding teeth.
- Clenching teeth.
- Arthritis in the TMJ.
- Dislocation of the disc in the TMJ.
- Extreme stress.
TMD pain can be temporary or prolonged, and for some reason more women suffer from TMD than men. TMD is also more common among people who are 20 to 40 years of age.
TMJ/TMD Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of TMD are:
- Pain in the jaw joint, neck and/or ear when chewing, talking or opening the mouth.
- Jaws that get stuck when open or when closed.
- Inability to open the mouth wide.
- Clicking or popping in the jaw when eating or talking.
- Pain when chewing.
- Swelling in the face near the jaw joint.
- Feeling as though your teeth are not meeting properly when biting.
- Toothaches.
- Headaches.
- Ringing in the ears.
Only your dentist can diagnose TMD. If you are experiencing symptoms, it can be easy to self-diagnose, but a dentist can determine if there are other issues causing pain or discomfort. Other issues such as sinus problems or arthritis may create similar symptoms, so it is best to make an appointment with Dr. Khorshid if you think you suffer from TMD.
During your visit, he will examine the jaw for pain or swelling and he will listen for sounds when you move your jaw. He will monitor your muscle function and movement and will measure your bite. He may also take some x-rays of the face so that he can get a clear picture of what’s going on and rule out any other possibilities for your pain.
Treating TMJ/TMD
If Dr. Khorshid diagnoses you with TMD, he will recommend a course of treatment to help alleviate your discomfort. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended, but usually, only after less invasive treatments have been exhausted.
Every case of TMD is different, but some treatment options include:
- Medication – If stress and anxiety are the problems, medications may help. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed in cases of jaw clenching and pain killers may be used to help alleviate pain.
- Laser Therapy – Low-level lasers can be used to target inflammation and help increase muscle mobility around the TMJ.
- Dental Appliances – In some cases, a mouth guard can be worn at night to keep the teeth from the meeting. The dentist can create a custom mouth piece to help keep your jaw in alignment as you sleep.
- Dental Treatments – Missing teeth or poorly fitting dental prosthetics can affect a person’s bite. Dr. Khorshid can correct these problems using a variety of dental treatments including bridges, crowns or Invisalign.
ABC Dental Care Las Vegas is dedicated to providing families in the Las Vegas area the highest quality dental services. Dr. Khorshid, the team is always here to answer your questions and to help you get the beautiful smile.
