TMJ Therapy

Overview

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the hinge-and-slide joints that connect your lower jaw to the base of your skull on each side. When those joints, the surrounding muscles, or the bite get out of balance, the result is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD): jaw pain, clicking or popping with movement, headaches, neck and shoulder tension, and tooth wear from associated clenching. Dr. Jill Rowland evaluates and treats TMD at Diamond Dentistry in Wellington, FL.

What TMD Treatment Can Resolve

• Jaw, facial, and neck pain

• Frequent tension headaches

• Clicking, popping, or catching when opening the mouth

• Difficulty fully opening or closing the jaw

• Tooth wear, fracture, or sensitivity from associated clenching

• Disturbed sleep when nighttime grinding is part of the picture

What the Evaluation Looks Like

Dr. Rowland starts by listening — what hurts, when, and what makes it better or worse — then performs a clinical exam of the joints, muscles, bite, and tooth wear. From there she builds a treatment plan around what is actually driving the symptoms; that may include:

• A custom oral appliance (a daytime splint or nighttime guard) to take pressure off the joints

• Targeted bite adjustment

• Physical-therapy-style jaw muscle work between visits

• Restorative or orthodontic work when the underlying cause is bite-related

• Coordination with a physician or specialist when symptoms point beyond the jaw