TMJ & Bruxism Treatment
We all grind our teeth occasionally, which is completely normal. What’s not normal is when it’s accompanied by headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and jaw joint (TMJ) pain. That’s when you need relief, and at McKay’s Mill Dental, we can help you.
Dr. Matt Avrit offers effective treatment for bruxism and TMJ that results in these painful symptoms. There are numerous reasons you may experience TMJ pain, but we can provide relief and protect your teeth with low-cost, conservative treatment.
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) connects your lower jaw to your head. It gets a lot of use because it moves up and down and also from side to side. When the TMJ isn’t working as it should, dentists call it temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD.
Why Do I Have Jaw Joint Pain?
The TMJ is a complex joint, making it challenging to identify the specific reason for your pain. However, some risk factors are:
- High stress or anxiety
- Jaw injuries
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Arthritis
- Tooth misalignment
- Malocclusions (bite problems)
What Are Some Symptoms of TMD?
TMD symptoms can range from mildly annoying soreness to pain that accompanies you throughout your day. Some common symptoms of TMJ problems are:
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Jaw joint pain, swelling, or tenderness
- Headaches upon waking or migraines
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Jaw locked open or closed
- Worn, broken, or fractured teeth
Don't give up hope if you experience any of these symptoms. We offer the treatment you need to get back to living a happy, productive life again.
Simple, Effective Treatment Relieves TMJ Pain
Many of our patients have found relief from their TMJ pain using a customized nightguard worn during sleep. The device slips over your upper teeth just like a mouthguard. It creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth so they don’t come into direct contact with each other. This protects your teeth from damage but also gives the TMJ a chance to rest and recover.
Other practical, non-invasive approaches known to relieve TMJ pain have to do with minimizing your stress and anxiety. Practices like yoga and meditation have proven to be very helpful for reducing the stress that leads to teeth grinding, bruxism, and TMJ pain.
Treat TMJ Problems and Protect Your Teeth from Damage
TMD symptoms are painful and disruptive, but even worse, they also threaten the structure of your teeth. Excessive teeth grinding or bruxism creates tremendous excess force, and the result is often chipped, broken, worn, or fractured teeth.
Since teeth grinding commonly occurs during sleep, you may not even be aware of it. For many patients, the first time they learn of the problem is when their dentist points out the damage to their teeth.
The first step to relieve your jaw joint pain is an evaluation with Dr. Avrit at our Franklin dental office. During this appointment, our TMJ dentist will take a panoramic x-ray that shows your entire mouth and both jaw joints in one image. He’ll also examine the way your teeth come together when you bite down and the full range of movement of your TMJ.
Relieve Your TMJ Pain and Get on with Your Life!
At McKay’s Mill Dental, we work with our patients to find relief for their TMD and jaw joint pain. While there isn’t a specific cure yet, Dr. Avrit will work with you to find the solution to minimize your discomfort and protect your teeth from damage.
Call our Franklin, TN dental office to schedule an appointment to get started.
