Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is an umbrella term describing tenderness and pain of the jaw joint and/or muscles controlling jaw movement. TMD is different from TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) because TMJ affects only the jaw joint.
If you are diagnosed with TMD, your jaw muscles are likely causing pain and tenderness. Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has various treatment options to help.
Symptoms of TMD
Please call Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Chronic headaches
- Muscle aches, jaw pain, and/or pain under your ear
- Hearing popping/clicking/grinding noises when you move your jaw
- A recurring earache not attributed to respiratory or other illness
- Stiff jaw muscles
- Inability to open your mouth completely
- Feeling like your jaw “locks” when you open it
To diagnose TMD, we will evaluate your symptoms, take digital X-rays of your mouth and jaw and test your bite parameters. If no other medical issues are found to be causing your symptoms, you may need TMD treatment provided by Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
Causes of TMD
Patients who grind or clench their teeth, have sleep apnea, or recently experienced trauma to the mouth and/or jaw may be at risk for suffering TMD. In some cases, patients with improper bites since childhood who never had their bites corrected may develop TMD.
Improper biting and severely decayed teeth (when teeth are not aligned normally) place excessive wear and tear on jaw joints over time.
Beyond the Jaw: Our Holistic Approach to TMD Treatment
At Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand TMD isn’t just a jaw problem. Its roots often lie in broader health and lifestyle factors. That’s why our treatment goes beyond traditional methods, integrating stress management, overall wellness, and crucial airway considerations for lasting relief.
Bruxism
Stress, Wellness, and TMD
Chronic stress often leads to clenching and grinding (bruxism), straining your jaw. We help you manage these stressors by discussing relaxation techniques or recommending specialists. Your general health, including diet, hydration, and posture, also impacts TMD. We consider your overall wellness to support your body’s healing.
The Critical Role of Airway Health
Many TMD sufferers have undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing. When your airway is compromised, your jaw may shift to help you breathe, causing strain, clenching, and disrupted sleep. We perform thorough airway assessments and may collaborate with sleep specialists or suggest oral appliances to support proper breathing.
By combining targeted dental treatments with a focus on stress, wellness, and airway health, Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers a truly holistic path to TMD relief, helping you achieve lasting comfort and improved quality of life.
TMD Treatment at Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
To receive pain relief with effective TMD treatment, Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry will determine whether they need orthodontic, restorative, cosmetic, or other dental treatments to correct an improper bite.
To facilitate pain relief, we will evaluate your bite. With the correct diagnosis and holistic treatment, your pain will be eliminated.
Temporomandibular disorder is entirely treatable without resorting to surgery.
Contact Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule an appointment if you have symptoms of TMD.
REAL PATIENTS. REAL RESULTS.
Recently got my braces fully, fully set and my teeth perfectly aligned but I still had issues with my gums, they would ache a lot and I also had joint pain in my jaw, so I came in and got that looked at and I needed a bite adjustment done. It feels a lot better, I don’t think I realized how bad it was until I finally got it fixed and it was a world of difference, like it was a lot better. Even having it done now I can tell it is going to fix a lot.
Hi Grace, you have come to AR Smiles, you have had some chief complaints about your jaw, can you tell me about that?
Yeah before I came to AR smiles at night time especially I would have severe popping on both sides of my jaw, so severe sometimes where I couldn’t even open my mouth to bite the sandwich fully.
And what have we done to fix that for you?
So I received a night guard and I wear it every night and within the first few days I noticed a significant difference, I have no popping when I eat food, and I am able to go about my daily activities without any pain.
That is so great! Thank you for coming to AR Smiles!
Thank you!