Having Toothache or Facial Pain?
1TMJ is an acronym that stands for temporomandibular joint. The joint is located right in front of the ear on both sides of your head and is responsible for moving your lower jaw for chewing and speaking. Many people suffer from pain associated with this joint which can make daily life frustrating and uncomfortable.
TMJ Pain Treatment in St. John, Indiana
When we see patients for TMJ pain or dysfunction we go through a careful analysis to diagnose the cause of the discomfort. Issues may include arthritis of the joint, unstable bite structure or possible dislocation. One of the most common reasons we find among our patients is excessive clenching and grinding of their teeth. This action fatigues the muscles that lift the lower jaw and can cause joint pain or tenderness. In these cases we issue written instructions (soft food diet, alternating warm/cold compresses) to assist in relaxing the muscles and joint combined with a clear acrylic bite guard that helps to coax the lower jaw into the most relaxed, comfortable position. The guard also helps to distribute forces of clenching/grinding so that their not as destructive.
Rest assured that whatever your ailment we will diagnose and treat it accordingly.