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 Fairlawn/Akron, Ohio dentist Dr. Sima F. Chegini diagnoses you with TMD, your jaw muscles are causing pain and tenderness.
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, Dr. Chegini 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.
~ Emily E.★★★★★
I can not say enough good things about my first appointment with Dr. Chegini and everyone at the office. Every single person was extremely warm and welcoming. It has been longer than I care to admit since I have been to the dentist. There was no judgement, no shaming. Just a “this is what we need to do to get you back on track, and we can do it” attitude!
Bruxism
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.
How is TMD Treated at Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Akron, Ohio?
To receive pain relief with effective TMD treatment, Akron, Ohio, residents rely on Dr. Chegini to determine whether they need orthodontic, restorative, cosmetic, or other dental procedures to correct an improper bite.
To facilitate pain relief, Dr. Chegini will evaluate your bite. With the correct diagnosis and treatment with a series of bite adjustments and the use of a proper custom-made bite splint, your pain will be eliminated.
Temporomandibular disorder is entirely treatable without resorting to surgery.
Call Arsmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Akron today at (330) 835-1000 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!
Dr. Sima F. Chegini graduated from Loyola University, School Of Dentistry in Chicago in 1993 and gained experience in complex dentistry via a General Practice Residency (GPR) in Dentistry at the University of Rochester, NY. Having worked as an associate dentist at a private practice in Boston, MA, for two years, she moved to Seattle, WA, in 1996. Here she taught dental students as a part-time faculty member at the University of WA, School of Dentistry, and dental hygienists at Lake WA Technical College in Kirkland, WA. At the same time, she completed a six-month fellowship, Dental Education in Care of the Disabled, at the University of WA, School of Dentistry. She also worked as a lead dentist at community health centers in Seattle.
Dr. Chegini established Arsmiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Fairlawn, OH, in 1999, where she continues to practice. She is also a clinical instructor at Summa Hospital‘s GPR in Akron. She has invested heavily in continuing education and training for herself and her team and combines it with advanced technologies at her office for the best patient outcomes. Her patients appreciate her holistic approach to dentistry.