TMJ

The Jaw Joint is a very fascinating, complex structure.  It’s not a hinge.  It’s not a ball & socket.  And it’s not a gliding joint.  It’s a combination, and either it works properly, or you’ll know it!

Your bite will close in one of two positions:  First, where the jaw joint is designed to close.  That’s called “centric relation.”  Second, it can close where the teeth fit together.  That’s called “centric occlusion.”  Hopefully Centric Relation is the same place as Centric Occlusion.  When it’s not, the jaw has to shift to make the teeth fit together.  That puts a strain on the jaw joint and the muscles that hold everything in place.  That strain, even small, over time, can lead to headaches, popping, clicking, clenching, ringing in the ears, unexplained broken teeth, and many other problems.

The treatment is usually pretty straightforward.  A thorough examination will help determine the cause.  Ninety Five Per Cent of jaw joint problems are caused by your bite being incorrect.  As time goes on, your teeth wear, drift, and shift.  Natural teeth wear at a different rate than your fillings or crowns.  Centric Occlusion no longer is the same place as Centric Relation.  To determine that the bite is definitely causing the problem, a device called a “Bite Splint” is made.  It is a hard piece of plastic that fits over your lower teeth.  The Splint can be adjusted to make your bite ideal again, without ever grinding on your natural teeth.  Usually, within a few days to a few months, the symptoms disappear.  The bite splint is normally worn at night, and during any stressful periods during the day, like while you’re driving on the highway.  Once you’re comfortable, you can then adjust your teeth to the proper bite.

Occasionally you can have a jaw abnormality, which might require more involved therapy.  Surgery is the very last option on the list.  The success of TMJ Therapy is now better than ever!

Schedule a consultation to give you personalized information for your specific situation.