TMJ (TMD) Therapy

A woman holding her jaw in pain.

Do you find yourself clenching your teeth at work, or even grinding your teeth when you sleep? When you wake up in the morning, are your jaws stiff and do you hear a popping noise when you try to move them? You may be suffering from TMDs.

Jaw pains and headaches can sometimes be a result of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw to the skull, which is composed of a rounded protrusion of the mandible that sits against an indentation in the skull and a disc-like structure made of cartilage found in between the two bones (articular disc). Grinding or clenching your teeth can cause the TMJ to hurt as it can make the disc move out of place, and it usually happens when the patient is asleep. If the pain persists and becomes chronic, it becomes TMD.

Signs and symptoms of TMD, may include:

  • Pain opening your mouth
  • Pain in your ears, shoulder or neck
  • Hearing loss
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Constant fatigue
  • Popping sounds in your joints
  • Constant headaches or migraines

Our Dentists will assess your pain by listening and feeling your jaw when you open and close your mouth; press on areas in your jaw to determine the sites of pain and discomfort. Our dentists may need to order a dental x-ray and look at the grooves of your teeth which conveys any grinding and clenching.

At Centrum Dental Centre, we help ease pain by prescribing our patients who suffer with TMJ or TMDs with stabilization splints, a type of occlusal appliance. These splints are beneficial since they help relax tense jaw muscles and joints. They also help protect your teeth’s chewing surfaces and prevent them from becoming worn down. Stabilization splints are small in size and comfortable to wear. They are highly effective at reducing head triggers, such as teeth grinding and clenching, by as much as 70%.

If you're looking to reduce your migraines and headaches, Book An Appointment at Centrum Dental to find out if stabilization sprints are right for you.