Salt Lake City TMJ
Serving Salt Lake City And Surrounding Areas In Utah
Temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, is also referred to as TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome). It is a condition in which the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints) become misaligned, causing a variety of dental and other medical problems.
The jaw joints are on either side of the head, where the lower jaw connects to the upper. In correct alignment, these joints provide for a range of motion, including up and down, side to side, and back and forth. This allows for a full range of facial movements, including chewing, speaking, and facial expressions.
For many reason, however, these joints can become misaligned and develop TMD.
- Wear on the teeth as a natural result of aging or bruxism (tooth grinding)
- Tooth loss and / or damage
- Accidental injury
- Poor dental work, such as dental appliances and restorations that throw off the alignment of the teeth
Some of the most common symptoms of TMD include:
- Pain and soreness of the jaw
- Uneven tooth wear
- Tooth grinding (bruxism) or clenching
- Headaches, migraines, and neck aches
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Loss of range of jaw motion
- Difficulty speaking and chewing
As you can see, many TMD symptoms, such as bruxism and uneven tooth wear, can also make the condition worse, as the body tries to readjust itself to the abnormalities of the jaw alignment. For this and other reasons, it is particularly important that you seek help as soon as you begin to notice the symptoms of TMD.
Treatment for TMD
TMD treatment begins with pain relief. We’ll use a simple little machine to deliver mild electrical impulses to selected places on the face and neck. After a half-hour or so, your jaw muscles will be relaxed, so that Dr. Austin can measure and record its new position.
The second step is to design an orthotic you can wear to re-train your jaw muscles. Last of all, we can reshape and reposition some of your teeth, so that the lower teeth meet correctly with the upper teeth, and your bite is now properly aligned.
TMD Prevention
Ideally, however, we prefer to prevent TMJ problems before they occur.
Many cases of TMD are brought on by either poor dental work, such as ill-fitting repairs and poorly planned orthodontics, or by lack of necessary intervention, such as tooth replacement and restructuring worn teeth.
At Gateway Dental Arts, we ensure that your dental work will not only look beautiful, but that it will fit correctly and contribute to your overall dental health. We will carefully examine your bite and the function of your jaw before making any structural modifications to your teeth.
Contact us today to schedule your free personal consultation and TMJ evaluation.
Gateway Tower 3, 2nd floor
(Across from the Cinemas)
440 West 200 So., Suite 275
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801.321.7600
Fax: 801.321.7605
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