TMJ / TMD Treatment In Arvada

TemporoMandibular Joint Disorders, often referred to interchangeably as TMJ and TMD, are painful conditions that affect many of our adult patients.  At West Arvada Orthodontics, our highly skilled team is dedicated to offering comprehensive TMJ and TMD treatment. Depending on your needs, we can recommend orthodontic appliances, dental work, and other treatments to alleviate your pain.  The most common TMJ TMD are jaw pain, facial pain, and pain on chewing.  Sometimes you can experience associated neck pain on the same side as the jaw or facial pain.  Regardless of of how your TMJ / TMD presents, Dr. Jennifer Friedman, at West Arvada Orthodontics, can stop your pain and prevent the pain from reoccurring by placing your jaws into proper alignment and using high-tech techniques and appliances to prevent a relapse of the condition.  We are a NO PAIN ZONE at West Arvada Orthodontics.

What Are TMJ And TMD?

Your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to the temporal bones (in front of your ears) of your skull. This joint allows your jaw to move up and down and side to side. Without it, you couldn’t speak, chew or perform other movements with your mouth. Problems with your temporomandibular joint, called TMJ, are categorized as temporomandibular disorders, or TMD. TMD is the diagnosable disorder that affects your jaw joint, while TMJ refers to the joint itself.

TMJ/TMD can affect one or both sides of your face. It is more common in women than men, and most common in patients between the ages of 20 and 40. Although TMJ / TMD is common, it doesn’t have one specific cause. Injury to the jaw can cause TMJ / TMD, as well as trauma to the head and neck. It can also be caused by:

• Misaligned teeth or jaws, known as a poor bite
• Grinding or clenching the teeth, known as bruxism
• Arthritis in the joint
• Movement in the disc between the ball and socket of the joint
• Tension in the facial muscles due to stress or other issues

What Are The Symptoms Of TMJ And TMD?

TMJ / TMD is often very painful and can last many years if left untreated. Common symptoms of TMJ / TMD include:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw or jaw joint
• Pain or tenderness in the face, neck and shoulders
• Pain in and around the ear when you speak or chew
• Difficulty or pain when you open your mouth wide
• Jaws that get stuck or lock up when opened or closed
• Swelling in your face around the jaw joint
• Popping, clicking or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
• Trouble when chewing or biting

How Are TMJ And TMD Treated?

Treatments for TMJ / TMD vary depending on your needs. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Friedman to discuss your symptoms and work out a treatment plan. Your treatment may include:

• Orthodontic treatment: Braces, Invisalign® and other orthodontic treatments may be recommended to treat your poor bite. Realigning your teeth and jaws can address the underlying cause of your pain and prevent further damage to your teeth.
• Oral appliances: Mouthpieces such as splints and night guards can alleviate the effects of teeth clenching or grinding. These are plastic appliances that fit over your upper and lower teeth to keep them from touching. A splint must be worn at all times while night guards are worn during sleep.

For TMJ treatment in Arvada, call our office at (720) 800-9331 today. We can recommend the treatment you need to ease your pain and help you return to a normal life.