When your jaw joint is damaged or dysfunctional, it can be painful and impact your oral function. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is prone to different disorders (TMD) that can cause jaw or facial pain, as well as many other symptoms. At First Smile Family Dental, we can perform TMJ screening, and we offer TMJ & TMD treatment at our dental center in Federal Way, WA.
There are many different conditions that can impact the jaw joint. The muscles, tendons and ligaments in the jaw can be injured, and the joint can be affected by inflammation and other issues. TMJ disorders, or TMD, can stem from degenerative issues in the jaw joint or be caused by oral health conditions. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common factor in TMD, due to the stress placed on the jaw and misalignment of the teeth. Dental problems can also lead to TMD symptoms, including missing teeth and malocclusions. Some of the symptoms that patients experience with TMJ disorders include:
- Jaw or facial pain
- Clicking or popping when opening/closing jaw
- Locking jaw
- Earaches
- Headaches or migraines
TMJ or TMD can be aggravating and impact your ability to eat, sleep or enjoy your life. Our team at First Smile Family Dental can help diagnose the cause of TMD and find the best TMJ or TMD treatment to give you relief.
Jaw Pain, Facial Pain Relief
To relieve the symptoms of TMD, you need to relieve pressure on the temporomandibular joint components. The treatment may include replacing missing teeth or orthodontic treatment to align your teeth and bite. Some patients with TMD respond well to Botox® injections to relax tight muscles in the jaw. Other patients can benefit from controlling their bruxism with a dental nightguard. Our dentist, Dr. Nguyen, can explore the causes of your TMJ disorder and determine the best treatment to relieve your pain and jaw dysfunction.
If you need TMJ/TMD treatment, come see our expert dental team at First Smile Family Dental. We offer advanced treatments for TMJ disorders to give you relief from your symptoms. Contact our office in Federal Way to book your appointment.