Many people suffer from face and neck pain and recurring headaches. One of the possible causes is Temporomandibular Dysfunction, or TMD/TMJ, which may be alleviated with orthodontic treatment.

Your jaw joints connect your lower jaw bone to your skull. These joints move in and out of their sockets many times a day, whether you are speaking, chewing, swallowing, or even yawning. Pain in and around your jaw joints is very unpleasant, and jaw movement may also be restricted.

TMD Symptoms

  • Grinding or clenching teeth
  • Generalized teeth wear
  • Pain in the jaw area
  • Pain or ringing in the ears
  • Frequent headaches or neck aches
  • Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
  • Swelling on the sides of the face
  • Muscle spasms in the jaw area
  • A change in the alignment of top and/or bottom teeth
  • Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

If you have any of these symptoms, and would like to meet Dr. Bianco to find out which orthodontic treatment is right for you, please call us at (604) 941-0111 to set up an appointment.

Some Simple TMJ/TMD Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatments for this condition can vary, and sometimes a simple treatment helps. The simplest treatment usually involves a plastic appliance worn over your upper or lower teeth. Called a splint, this helps to temporarily relieve acute symptoms. Further orthodontic treatments may involve braces to align teeth and bite.

Other diagnostic aids include a 3D Xray or CT type scan of your jaw joints. An MRI may be used to assess any cartilaginous changes in the jaw joints.

Once the jaw joints are stable, a multi-disciplinary approach may be required. This is where Dr. Bianco works with an oral surgeon, and possibly a prosthodontist to achieve a great smile and a long-term, stable result.

What some of our clients have to say

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"I am 37 years old and Dr. B was my orthodontist at the age of 11 and my smile today is still picture perfect. Dr. B and staff are still fantastic and I remember walking through the doors for my appointments and now I walk through the doors with my daughter for the past 20 months and it is still that fantastic feeling of warm hearted, caring people."

- Angela K.

"The first time I had braces top and bottom. Recently, I decided to have the bottom front straightened again as I really hadn't followed instructions properly, regarding wearing my retainer at the end of treatment. This only took about eight months and now I'm wearing a retainer for about four months.
PS. May I mention I am 84 years old. You are never too old!"

- Eleanor S.

" Looking into a mirror after all this time makes me happy, and I know I can always stop by for a check in with a warm welcome. I've always looked forward to my visits, and would recommend others to come in, if looking into orthodontics."

- Paul C.