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.
Live Without Jaw Pain Thanks to TMJ Treatment in Plainview
Think jaw pain is just due to stress or a bad habit? You may not realize that clicking sounds, facial soreness, and difficulty chewing are signs of a treatable condition – TMJ disorder. Our dental team offers effective TMJ treatment in Plainview. With our help, you will:
- Understand the root cause of your jaw pain
- Get personalized solutions based on your specific symptoms and lifestyle
- Experience relief from chronic headaches and facial tension
- Sleep better without grinding or clenching your teeth
- Enjoy meals again without discomfort or clicking sounds
- Return to speaking and laughing comfortably
Call 516-347-7133 for an appointment.
Treat Your TMJ Disorder With Our Comprehensive Solutions
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the hardworking hinges that connect your jaw to your skull. A TMJ disorder (TMD) can cause these joints to become strained or inflamed. It can trigger jaw pain as well as many other symptoms, including persistent headaches. TMJ disorders are often linked to teeth grinding habits that impact your well-being and cause dental damage.
One of the most common solutions is a mouthguard. While there are countless store-bought options, you want one that will fit you perfectly and offer durable, long-lasting relief. That’s what you’ll find at our practice. Your custom-fitted mouthguard will:
- Gently Reposition Your Jaw – Your custom mouthguard provides gentle guidance to your jaw’s resting position. This will release overworked muscles and prevent the constant strain that causes pain.
- Reduce Stress on TMJs — By repositioning your jaw, your mouthguard reduces stress on the TMJ joints. It helps your surrounding muscles function properly, eliminating the root cause of many TMJ symptoms.
- Protect Against Grinding – The precisely fitted guard creates a barrier that absorbs nighttime grinding forces. It shields both your teeth and TMJ joints from excessive pressure and wear and tear.
- Encourage Healing – By relieving pressure on your joints, it allows inflamed tissues to heal. This will give you relief from many symptoms including jaw pain, facial pain, and headaches.
However, our treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your dentist offers multiple approaches to pain relief. While custom mouthguards work well for many patients, you may find improvement through Botox therapy. It can provide months of comfort by relaxing tense jaw muscles. Your dentist may also coordinate care for more complex cases with a specialist when needed.
Call 516-347-7133 for TMJ treatment in Plainview. You can also schedule online.
The length of your TMJ treatment will depend on the treatment method you require. Some patients respond well to Botox® treatment, which requires only 10 minutes to administer. Other patients need to wear a night guard or splint while sleeping to eliminate their TMJ pain.
If you’ve been experiencing persistent jaw discomfort, difficulty chewing, or unusual sounds when moving your mouth, you may be dealing with a TMJ disorder. These conditions can cause a range of symptoms, including facial pain, headaches, and even ear discomfort. We encourage you to visit our practice if you’re noticing any of these signs – early intervention can make a significant difference in managing TMJ issues and improving your overall oral health.
Sometimes, yes. Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can trigger discomfort in the adjacent muscles of the head and neck, sometimes mistaken for migraines. Wearing a mouthguard can help ease the pain stemming from TMJ inflammation and potentially provide relief from headaches.