South Edmonton TMJ/TMD Therapy

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to problems associated with jaw movement and pain in and around the jaw joints. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jawbone to the skull on both sides of your head, and it controls the movement of the jaw, including sliding back and forth and opening and closing. In some people, the joint becomes overworked or stressed, which can lead to TMD. Bruxism, which is characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth, is one common form of TMD.

TMD is almost never noticed immediately. This is because the symptoms of TMD come on gradually and over time. In some instances, you might not even know that something is wrong with your TMJ because the symptoms make you think that it is an entirely different issue.

Common symptoms of TMD include:

• Jaw pain
• Facial pain
• Difficulty opening and closing your jaw may even lock, preventing any motion at all
• Pain or difficulty chewing
• Popping, clicking, or a grinding sensation when you move your jaw
• Frequent headaches
• Earaches

If TMD is determined to be your issue, the Strathcona Dental Clinic team will design a tailored treatment plan. There are several types of treatment options for TMD, all of which are designed to help relieve the pain and damage associated with TMD. We will discuss your options with you and help you choose the best course of action based on the determined cause of your TMJ trouble and the associated symptoms. Some of the most common treatment options for alleviating TMD symptoms are Night Guards and Botox Injections. In more advanced cases, referrals to TMJ specialists and/or orthodontists may be needed to re-align the teeth and bite or manage the symptoms.

• A Nightguard or Splint: You may be prescribed a nightguard or splint if you suffer from bruxism, thereby alleviating your TMD symptoms. A splint is a custom-made dental appliance that is worn to prevent clenching and grinding. The splint/night guard also helps to protect the teeth from the physical wear and tear resulting from the constant grinding of bruxism so that you bite against the night guard instead of wearing down your teeth.
• Botox: In some cases, a series of Botox injections may be prescribed to weaken the masseter muscles and reduce the stress placed on the jaw joint from bruxism.

Botox is a non-surgical approach used to treat TMD, specifically the grinding and clenching (bruxism) that leads to TMD. Clenching and grinding are commonly caused by stress, although they can result from certain medications, smoking, alcohol, or caffeine. During the daytime, you can often catch yourself and relax your muscles to release the clenching and/or stop the grinding. However, bruxism often takes place at night when you have no control. The grinding and clenching results in your TMJ undergoing unnecessary stress and becoming irritated and inflamed, which leads to TMD and the associated symptoms.

A series of Botox injections into the jaw muscles can be a successful treatment option for alleviating symptoms of TMD by weakening and relaxing the muscles used when you grind or clench your teeth. Your Strathcona Dental Clinic dentist administers a series of targeted injections, which weaken or relax the muscles that would otherwise cause clenching and grinding. As a result, you place less stress on your jaw, and the tension decreases. Botox injections can often lead to a significant decrease in symptoms of bruxism. The positive effects of Botox last many months and can even be permanent.