As far as chronic jaw pain is concerned, we have to figure out what the reason is. There are a few different reasons why people tend to grind and cause pain. One is sleep apnea.
You have sleep apnea, you tend to grind at night, you tend to hurt your jaw, you grind your teeth. And another one is heavy duty stress. Some people are just stressed out of their brains.
And although I’d love to give them a prescription for two weeks in Hawaii, the insurance isn’t going to cover it, so that’s usually not an option. And another one is a very uncomfortable bite or a misaligned bite, where you subconsciously, when you’re sleeping, you tend to try to grind that into a comfortable place. Each one of those has a different fix.
Obviously, an uncomfortable bite, we would go toward the Invisalign roof. As far as sleep apnea, we get a sleep test done, and if necessary, we do an oral sleep device, or a CPAP machine, if that’s indicated at that point. As far as heavy duty stress is concerned, we tend to do Botox in the masseter muscles.
And each one of these that I’m suggesting is working toward a cause. We’re trying to deal with the cause. We’re not putting a Band-Aid on the symptom.
We’re not giving you a mouth guard and saying, have a nice life. Most of the time with mouth guards, you grind more, because it’s something in your mouth that’s uncomfortable, and you tend to play with it, especially when you’re sleeping. And it’s nothing you can wear during the day either.
So, although they do protect your teeth from chipping and breaking, all of that stress ends up going into the muscles, joints, and you end up with severe TMJ problems later on in life. So, I don’t agree with that. Anterior repositioners are sort of night guards, but they’re a little bit different.
That’s a whole different concept. So, we can’t confuse the two. Most of the time it’s stress.
Most of the time we end up using the Botox, which works very well for patients. And again, it’s the idea is to break the habit of clenching. And once you break the habit, you’re usually okay.
End Jaw Pain With TMJ Treatment in Brooklyn
Whether you are talking with a friend over coffee or sitting down to your evening meal, jaw pain shouldn’t dictate your life. Yet a TMJ disorder can turn simple pleasures into uncomfortable challenges. If you struggle with TMJ pain, you can visit Woodpoint Dental for TMJ treatment in Brooklyn. It will:
- Relieve chronic jaw pain and muscle tension
- Reduce frequent headaches and facial discomfort
- Eliminate clicking and popping sounds when you chew
- Help you enjoy meals without pain or difficulty
- Improve your sleep quality and daily comfort
Call 718-866-3806 for a free consultation.
Safeguard Your Smile & Stop Your TMJ Problems
Your jaw’s complex network of joints – called the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) – work like hinges hundreds of times each day. When these joints become irritated or misaligned, a TMJ disorder (TMD) can develop. In addition to causing jaw pain, it can trigger headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms that affect your quality of life.
While you might be tempted by the quick fix of a store-bought mouthguard, our custom-fitted solution offers precise, personalized relief designed specifically for your mouth’s unique structure. Your dentist can fit you for a professionally made TMJ mouthguard that will:
- Be precisely crafted using detailed impressions of your teeth for optimal comfort
- Position your jaw correctly to relieve joint pressure and muscle strain
- Protect against nighttime teeth grinding and clenching
- Shield your enamel from wear and tear while you sleep
Beyond custom mouthguards, you’ll find other treatments for TMJ relief. For some patients, targeted Botox injections can give you relief by relaxing the overactive jaw muscles that contribute to TMJ pain. This simple, quick treatment can offer months of comfort. It is particularly effective when combined with other approaches.
While many TMJ cases can be treated here in our office, your dentist realizes you may benefit from additional expertise. That’s why we partner with trusted specialists. If needed, our team will coordinate your care with them to ensure you receive the most effective treatment for your situation.
Call 718-866-3806 for TMJ treatment in Brooklyn. You can also schedule online.
Many patients have regained the ability to engage in daily activities such as talking, eating, and laughing pain-free thanks to TMJ treatment. The cornerstone of effective TMJ therapy lies in identifying the treatment approach that suits you best. Our range of options includes custom mouthguards and Botox® injections, among others. Together, we’ll assess and select the most suitable method for your needs.
It’s possible, yes. Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to pain in the surrounding muscles of the head and neck, which can be misinterpreted as migraines. By wearing a mouthguard, you can alleviate the pain caused by TMJ inflammation and potentially experience relief from headaches.
Signs of a TMJ disorder may include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when chewing, difficulty opening the mouth completely, facial pain, headaches, and ear pain or ringing. Some people may also experience neck and shoulder pain or toothaches unrelated to dental problems. Also, your jaw may feel locked or stuck. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to visit our practice for help.