TMJ/Bruxism Treatment
Living with chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, or waking up with sore facial muscles caused by TMJ disorder can wear you down and make you miserable. If you grind your teeth at night or deal with annoying clicking, popping, or locking jaw joints, you know how these problems can affect your sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.
Dr. Joshua Wansten understands the daily challenges that come with bruxism and TMJ disorders, and we're here to help you find relief and get back to living comfortably.
How TMJ Disorders Develop
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) isn't a condition; it's the name of the joint itself. You have two TMJs, one on each side of your head, just in front of your ears. These complex joints work like hinges with sliding motions, so you can open and close your mouth, yawn, chew, and speak.
Your TMJs are among the most-used joints in your body. You might not even appreciate how much work they do until you experience issues. When the joints function correctly, these movements happen smoothly and painlessly. However, several factors can cause your TMJs to become damaged or inflamed, leading to a condition called TMD (temporomandibular disorder):
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Jaw injuries from accidents or trauma
- Arthritis affecting the joint
- Stress that causes muscle tension
- Misaligned bite, putting extra pressure on joints
- Worn or damaged cartilage discs