A TMJ Dentist is a dental professional who helps diagnose and treat problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull. Issues with this joint can cause pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the jaw. They can also lead to headaches, earaches, and trouble chewing. Visiting a TMJ dentist is an important step in finding the cause of these symptoms and getting the right treatment to improve oral health and overall comfort.
A TMJ dentist specializes in the health and function of the temporomandibular joint. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this joint plays a key role in everyday activities like chewing, speaking, and yawning. When the joint is not working correctly, it can cause a condition called TMJ disorder, or TMD. This condition can result from various issues, such as grinding teeth, an injury to the jaw, arthritis, or a misaligned bite. A TMJ dentist works to identify what is causing the problem and create a treatment plan to help relieve symptoms and restore normal jaw movement.
In order to determine the most appropriate treatment to address TMD, the TMJ dentist must conduct a thorough evaluation. The dentist will ask the patient about their symptoms, including when they started and if anything makes them worse or better. It may be helpful to list this information on their phone or a sheet of paper so nothing is forgotten. This information helps the dentist understand the problem and what to look for during the evaluation.
Next, the TMJ dentist will perform a physical examination. Common signs they check for are tenderness, swelling, or any difficulty moving the joint. The dentist may ask patients to perform several movements, such as opening and closing their mouth or moving their jaws from side to side, to see how well they function. If the dentist requires more information, they may employ X-rays or other imaging diagnostic tests to get a more detailed picture of the joint and surrounding areas.
After the evaluation, the TMJ dentist will explain their findings and recommend treatment options. The treatment plan depends on the cause and severity of the TMJ disorder. For minor issues, the dentist may suggest simple changes, such as eating softer foods, practicing relaxation techniques, or performing targeted exercises to help the jaw muscles. In some cases, the dentist may create a custom mouthguard or splint to wear, which can reduce teeth grinding and take pressure off the joint.
For more severe cases, additional treatments may be necessary. These might include physical therapy to strengthen and relax the jaw muscles, medications to reduce pain or swelling, or orthodontic treatments to fix bite alignment issues. If the problem does not improve with these methods, the dentist may refer the patient to a specialist for advanced care.
Seeing a TMJ dentist can provide relief for those dealing with jaw pain, stiffness, or other symptoms of TMJ disorders. If jaw discomfort or related symptoms affect your daily life, scheduling an appointment with a TMJ dentist in the San Francisco area is a step toward finding solutions. Contact Smiles On Balboa to receive a care plan to improve your quality of life.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesonbalboa.com or call Smiles On Balboa at (415) 413-2237 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.
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