TMD/TMJ Treatment In South Orange, NJ
You might not realize it but South Orange Family Dentistry's dental team doesn’t just treat conditions of the mouth, but also the face and jaw as well. Millions of Americans deal with TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), a condition caused by the dysfunction of the jaw’s joints.
These joints are responsible for jaw movement and function, from chewing and biting to talking. Therefore, when your jaw starts acting up it’s important that you have a dentist that can provide you with the relief you need. Dr. Fariba Farrokhi DMD, MAGD is highly qualified and experienced in diagnosing and treating TMD. If you are experiencing jaw pain or soreness, popping, clicking, etc., then call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Farrokhi.
What Are The Symptoms of TMD?
You may be experiencing TMD if you are dealing with any of these common symptoms:
- Jaw pain and stiffness
- Sore and easily tired jaws and facial muscles
- A popping or clicking sound when opening or closing your mouth
- Pain when opening your mouth fully
- Tension headaches
What Causes TMD?
It’s important to pinpoint the cause of your TMD symptoms so that we can treat the underlying problem. Sometimes TMD is the result of a malocclusion (“bad bite”) such as an overbite or underbite, or other dental alignments. Orthodontic treatment can be used to correct the patient’s misaligned smile, which also reduces the amount of pressure being placed on the jaw joints. Other causes of TMD include,
- Bad habits such as nail biting
- Trauma to the jaws or jaw injuries
- Stress
- Bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding)
Treatment For TMD
Many people find relief from their symptoms through simple at-home measures such as moist heat or ice packs, eating a soft diet or taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Of course if a condition, bad habit or injury is to blame then our dentist can treat the underlying cause. Stress-related TMD can be corrected through relaxation techniques while wearing a custom-made night guard each night can ease symptoms of bruxism and reduce pressure placed on the jaws.