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TMD and TMJ treatment can provide TMJ and TMD guests with a range of benefits, from decreased or eliminated cessation of pain and discomfort, to better overall health and longer lasting dental restorations. There's more to a healthy, beautiful smile than meets the eye. A truly healthy smile must be functionally sound with an optimal bite (occlusion). When the bite is off (malocclusion), trouble's not far behind. That trouble can take the form of TMD or TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome.
What is TMD / TMJ?
The temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. TMJ is a condition in the joints of the lower jaw, causing facial pain and soreness often causing a migraine.
There are a variety of causes of TMJ / TMD, including congenital anomalies, arthritis, fractures, dislocations, jaw clenching, and tooth grinding.
Symptoms of TMJ include:
- Headache or Migraine
- Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
- Tooth loss
- Clenching or grinding
- Biting pain
- Shoulder, neck and back pain
- Numbness in arms or fingers
- Dull, aching facial pain
- Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
- Clicking sound while chewing or opening the mouth
- Grating sensation while chewing
- Decreased ability to open or close the mouth
- Cracked fillings or tooth chipping
TMJ Diagnosis
The goal of TMJ / TMD treatment is to position the jaws, teeth and muscles to operate in harmony. Our state-of-the-art TMJ / TMD technology allows neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Rice and neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Hayashi to map out the muscle function and identify abnormalities. Neuromuscular dentists, Dr. Rice and Dr. Hayashi can measure the jaw's muscle function in both stressed and relaxed positions, as well as the jaw-to-skull ratio to determine if there is a structural imbalance. By effectively stabilizing the TMD / TMJ patient’s bite, the muscles are relaxed, pain is minimized and symptoms subside.
TMJ / TMD Treatment
The amazing K-7 computerized technology allows neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Hayashi and neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Rice to help map your bite position in order to create sophisticated models of your teeth for further analysis and treatment. With the K-7 equipment, joint characteristics are used to thoroughly analyze your jaw joint problems in preparation for correction.
Neuromuscular dentists, Dr. Hayashi and Dr. Rice also use the state-of-the-art Myomonitor technology to help guests relax with therapeutic jaw muscle stimulation and increased blood circulation. By using a series of low-frequency electrical impulses, the Myomonitor is able to minimize pain associated with TMJ / TMD and increase range of motion.
By fitting the TMD / TMJ patient with dental restorations, areas of the bite can be precisely raised or lowered to create a naturally comfortable muscular position for the jaw. In most cases, the jaw can be repositioned without surgery or braces. With this correction, TMJ / TMD guests experience a range of benefits, from decreased or eliminated cessation of pain and discomfort, to better overall health and longer lasting dental restorations.
Smile Makeover Gallery
How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist
You don’t have to live with TMJ and TMD symptoms. Call or email Aesthetic Dental Designs to contact our neuromuscular dentist today for expert TMJ / TMD diagnosis and treatment.
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