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.
