Sheridan Dental is trained and ready to alleviate your toughest pain.
Are you suffering from several of these symptoms without relief?
These recurring inconveniences may be indicative of TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder. Sometimes called TMD, a misalignment of your jaw can lead to overactive muscles, pinched nerves, and off-centered vertebrae. These conditions can negatively impact your body in a number of ways.
Often, patients see a doctor, chiropractor, or other specialist without result. Surprisingly, a dentist should be one of your first stops. Dr. Raymond Sheridan and his staff in Grove City are equipped to help.
TMJ is often called “The Great Imposter” because its symptoms can be so variable and misleading that many people, including doctors, have difficulty tracing them back to their source, the jaw joint. Aside from the common symptoms listed above, many sufferers of TMD / TMJ also experience:
The temporomandibular joint is the joint on either side of your head, where the jaw meets the skull. This joint is capable of movement in many directions, as it is located at a complex intersection of muscles, nerves, bones, and ligaments. When the jaw is out of position, often as a result of a bad bite, it can put extra stress on the muscles supporting the jaw. Since the muscles are always fighting against the bone and tooth alignment, the strain can lead to jaw, tooth and facial pain over time.
This pressure can affect nerves in the area. These nerves carry signals between the brain and the face and ears. When pressure is put on the nerves, it can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the face. It can lead to ringing in the ears or a loss of balance, hence the common symptoms.
The neck vertebrae can even be pulled out of alignment by muscles attempting to compensate for the misalignment of the jaw. If the spinal column gets thrown off balance, meaning it is no longer vertically straight, it can put pressure on or pinch nerves that connect the brain and extremities. A poorly aligned spine can also lead to back strain and shoulder pain.
TMJ problems (known as TMD ), can be diagnosed using the Myotronics K7 system. This device combines three forms of measurement to give the Sheridan Dental staff exact information about the condition of your jaw joint.
The first goal of TMJ treatment is to alleviate your pain. This is initially accomplished by the use of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), which relaxes the jaw muscles. Once temporary relief is achieved, Dr. Sheridan will discuss more permanent solutions. These can include the use of an orthotic (mouthpiece) that holds the jaw in an appropriate place to let your muscles relax and restore balance. Some patients do not experience sufficient results from an orthotic. Another option is bite reconstruction, where restorative dental techniques are used to reinstate a balanced bite.
TMJ is a painful condition, but Dr. Sheridan is more than capable of providing you solutions. Do not suffer in silence any longer –please call or email Sheridan Dental today to schedule your free TMJ consultation.