What happens during a TMJ procedure?

Cosmetic dentists serving Boston, Braintree, and Massachusetts' South Shore

• TMJ symptoms
• What is TMJ?

The first step, of course, is to diagnose your condition to determine whether you have TMJ disorder, and if so, to evaluate the type and extent of your condition.

Types of TMD, or TMJ disorder

TMJ disorder is an umbrella term describing a variety of conditions associated with the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). While these conditions often overlap, there are several distinct types of TMJ disorder.

Muscle or myofascial disorders cause pain in the facial or neck muscles that control jaw movement. This condition causes soreness and pain, and can contribute to headaches, migraines, pinched nerves and neck aches.

Joint derangement disorders are caused by displacement or dislocation of the structures within the joint. This can be caused by injury, or excessive repetitive motions including compulsive tooth grinding or clenching, or other unusual movement of the jaw.

Degenerative joint disorders are characterized by deterioration of the cartilage within the TMJ. This cartilage normally absorbs shock and impact to the TMJ, so when this cartilage begins to deteriorate, it can result in pain and discomfort caused by bones rubbing together.

Diagnosis of TMD

Many patients suffering from TMJ related problems usually visit their primary care physician who may refer to Neurologic or ENT specialists. Most times this condition is not properly diagnosed leading to unnecessary prescriptions or no diagnosis at all which leaves the patient in the same state of suffering. The most accurate tools for diagnosing TMD are computer imaging systems that allow your dentist to track and evaluate the function of your jaw and facial muscles during normal use.

Our LVI trained neuromuscular dentists use a Myotronics K-7 computer imaging system utilizing jaw tracking, EMG (electromyography), and joint sonography to record and evaluate the movement of your jaw and your facial muscle function. This valuable diagnostic tool helps determine where your problem is located, and how to best go about treating your condition and preventing further damage.

TMD treatments

Treatment for TMD will vary, depending on the type and severity of the condition. In some cases, teeth simply need to be recontoured and reshaped to restore a normal functional bite. In other cases, we may fabricate a clear plastic dental appliance as a nightguard to guard against the damage tooth grinding can cause or to reposition your jaw to an optimal bite relationship using an Orthotic appliance. At times it is necessary to move your teeth into this optimal bite relationship using orthodontics or restoring your teeth using porcelain restorations.

If you suffer from symptoms of TMJ Disorder

If you are suffering from jaw or facial pain, popping or clicking in the TMJ, unexplained dizziness, headaches, migraines, neck pain, ringing in the ears, tingling in the fingertips or other symptoms that may be associated with malfunction of the TMJ, call or email us today.

We will schedule an appointment or a free, no obligation Consultation, where we can answer any questions you might have about the condition, and get you on the road to a happy, healthy, functional new smile.