Do you have periodic jaw pain or headaches? Does your jaw “pop” or “click” when you open and close your mouth? You may be suffering from a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Essex Smiles offers temporomandibular joint (TMJ) therapy in Jersey City, New Jersey, to relieve the jaw pain associated with TMD.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research defines TMD as a joint and muscle disorder that affects the TMJ, causing chronic pain. The TMJ connects the jaw muscles to the skull. It acts as a hinge and is vital for facial movements such as talking or chewing. When your TMJ is injured or stressed, it can hinder everyday activities and can negatively impact your lifestyle. Essex Smiles can help relieve your pain and discomfort with TMJ therapy.
Once a successful diagnosis of TMD is determined, one of the most common remedies is an Occlusal Appliance, also termed an occlusal splint, or nightguard. This device is designed to relax the muscles of the jaw, and, more importantly, guide the articulating surfaces of the jaw joint to its proper position in the base of the skull.
Here at ESSEX SMILES, we sometimes encounter patients with TMJ problems that have had prior unsuccessful appliance therapy. Previous unsuccessful treatment is usually the result of an appliance that was never designed to align the jaw joints properly. In essence, this results in a patient that started with a “bad” or misaligned bite and was treated to an equally misaligned bite while wearing the appliance.
Following treatment with appliance therapy, Occlusal Equilibration or bite adjustment may be advised. This adjustment involves the careful reshaping of the biting surfaces of the teeth, which results in biting forces being redistributed evenly throughout the teeth, minimizing the excessive impact on individual teeth, thereby improving function and reducing wear.
If you have been experiencing any symptoms of TMD, call our office now at (201) 653-2288 to make an appointment. We want to help find the right treatment plan to relieve your pain.