What are TMD & TMJ?
Your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) connects your jaw and temporal bones of your skull. At Hunter Dental, our Markham dentists should be able to diagnose and treat disorders of this joint, known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Causes of TMD
When your jaw joints are balanced and healthy, they allow proper movement of your mouth for comfortable eating and speaking. If your teeth and/or jaw become misaligned, you may begin to suffer from TMD.
TMD produces jaw muscle pain and difficulty in opening your mouth, sometimes accompanied by a popping or clicking sound. The most common cause of TMD is a bad bite which results in a misalignment of the teeth and jaws.
Other factors that may contribute to the disorder include genetic predisposition, the shape of your skull, airway issues, and injuries or trauma to your jaw.
Signs & Symptoms
One of the common symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction is teeth grinding during sleep, known as bruxism.
Grinding your teeth can eventually lead to erosion of the enamel and teeth structure, causing other dental issues. Left untreated, TMD can erode your jawbone and cause teeth to become loose.
Other symptoms include:
- Jaw pain or tightness
- Severe headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Neck pain
If you have any of the symptoms of TMD, please visit your dentist to get a proper diagnosis.
TMD Therapy Treatment in Markham
We will perform a JVA (Joint Vibration Analysis) and use our 3D Jaw Tracker technology to try and diagnose TMD.
Several options are available to treat the underlying causes, and your dentist will recommend the best treatment option for you.
The goal of TMD treatment is to reduce headaches, dizziness, and pain. Whenever possible, we aim to return your jaw structure to a balanced state without the need for surgery.
TMJ Treatment With The MLS Laser
In many cases, we will recommend treating your TMD with MLS Laser Therapy.
MLS Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that delivers therapeutic waves of light to penetrate deep into your facial tissue and stimulate cellular activity. This stimulus helps improve blood flow and reduce swelling and pain in the affected area.
To learn more about MLS Laser Therapy or other TMD treatment options, please contact our clinic.
