Anxiety, arthritis and many other factors can cause a joint health problem called TMJ dysfunction. Dentists in Greenfield, Drs. Jenna Bagley, Dr. Christopher Goodwin and Dr. H. Sean Hrinda treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction, offering patients real relief from this very painful and debilitating condition.
What is TMJ?
Also called TMJ Dysfunction, this oral health condition centers in the temporomandibular joint, the hinge-like joint which joins and operates the top and bottom portions of the jaw. TMJ affects more women than men and seems to occur most during the childbearing years. Common symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction include:
- A noticeably audible clicking or popping noise a person opens and closes his or her mouth
- Soreness and pain at the joint
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Mouth stuck in the open or closed position
- Headaches
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
- Earaches
- Neck pain
- Swelling of the jaw
- Misalignment of the upper and lower jaws, forward, backward or from side to side
- Difficulty with chewing
While women do tend to suffer from TMJ more often, kids, seniors and men throughout the age and socioeconomic spectrum can get this difficult condition at one time or another in their lives.
What Causes TMJ?
Precise causes of TMJ remain a mystery. However, your dentist in Greenfield believes many things contribute to it, and scientific research seems to back up this assertion. Factors may include:
- Prolonged stress, anxiety and muscle tension
- Tooth grinding and clenching, particularly at night (bruxism)
- Arthritis or deterioration of the disc-like cartilage in the joint
- Traumatic injury, such as a blow to the side of the head or jaw dislocation
- Misaligned dental bite
Digital X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, along with an oral exam and palpation of the face, neck and jaw, pinpoints TMJ. Information from these diagnostics help primary care physicians and dentists, such as Drs. Bagley, Goodwin and Hrinda, decide on the right treatment.
What to Do about Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
TMJ therapy in Greenfield can take different directions: drugs, therapy and oral appliance. Prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, and/or muscle relaxants relieve some TMJ. Physical therapy and relaxation techniques help people struggling with stress. Poorly aligned teeth may require orthodontic treatment. Plus, dentists utilize custom-made acrylic bite guards to reposition the jaw and reduce grinding and clenching.
For severe cases of this joint problem, your primary care physician may work together with the dentists at Bagley, Goodwin & Hrinda to formulate the best course of treatment for a patient.
The best of credentials
Our dentists and support professionals have excellent dentistry skills and pursue continuing education to keep those skills sharp. Plus, you can trust your Cherry HIll dentist to render correct and individualized management of TMJ symptoms. For a your personal consultation, contact Bagley, Goodwin & Hrinda PC.