Do you get constant headaches and neck pain? Do you have troubled sleep, snore or grind your teeth at night? Do your jaws click, pop or hurt? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be suffering from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder. As a leading TMJ dentist in Melbourne, we’re at the forefront of technology, providing the latest in TMJ treatment. We can create a personalised treatment plan for you to ensure the jaw or facial pain you are experiencing doesn’t impact your day-to-day life. Talk to the team at Victoria Street Dental about diagnosis and treatment for TMJ today.
What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, more commonly known as jaw joint pain, is a term used to describe pain affecting the jaw joint and its surrounding structures including the jaw muscles, tissues and ligaments. This is the area that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull. Like a knee joint, a jaw joint contains a cartilage disk that separates the two bones. This disk is protected by a capsule which is surrounded by ligaments and jaw muscles that aids its movements.
TMJ jaw pain is often caused by trauma, stress, everyday wear and tear and occasionally arthritis. The jaw pain it causes can have major effects on other aspects of your health such as sleep, eating and general wellbeing. If you recognise the signs it’s important to seek TMJ treatment Melbourne as soon as you can.
What Can I Do to Treat TMJ pain?
There are several ways to treat TMJ jaw pain. These treatments range from temporary pain management and reduction through solutions such as Botox and muscle relaxants, to orthotics in combination with restorative and orthodontic options. The treatment required will depend on the severity of the case and the cause, as different situations will require different techniques and solutions, such as bite guards, oral appliances, TMJ splints, or even physiotherapy. Our dentists can assess your needs and provide you with a tailored solution. In your initial consultation, you’ll undergo a full evaluation to identify the cause of the pain before any treatment begins. Talk to our experts today about TMJ Treatment Melbourne.
Mouthguards for Dental Health
While mouthguards aren’t necessarily used to treat TMJ disorder, they are excellent for treating related issues such as teeth grinding and clenching at night. These things are difficult to avoid doing, as often you’re completely unaware you’re doing them, or that it’s happening. A nightguard designed to fit your mouth will prevent muscle pain, headaches, tooth degradation and increased sensitivity associated with teeth grinding and clenching. If you’re experiencing any of these TMJ symptoms, come in for a check-up today. Our dentists are experts at picking up the signs and can provide you with the correct treatment, help you sleep and protecting your teeth.
Book an Appointment Today
Book an appointment today with Dr Gavin Yang. Dr. Yang has years of experience treating patients with TMJ and related issues and will be able to assess and plan the best treatment for your pain. The team at Victoria Street Dental is ready to help you get the dental care you deserve. With more than a decade of experience behind us, we provide dental care for families all across the eastern suburbs like collingwood, south yarra, kew, abbotsford and hawthorn. Call today on (03) 9428 0376 to book your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TMJ Syndrome?
TMJ Syndrome is another name for TMJ disorder or temporomandibular disorder. TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joint”, and TMJ disorder occurs when the TMJ jaw bone becomes injured or damaged. This can lead to pain and discomfort all around the jaw joints, but it can also cause headaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), a hurting neck, facial pain, and even earaches.
What Are TMJ Symptoms?
Symptoms of TMJ can vary from person to person, but some of the most common symptoms include pain and discomfort around the TMJ, headaches, earaches, tinnitus, clicking or popping noises when eating or opening the jaw, sore throat or lumps on one side of the neck or in front Some of the more painful symptoms can be alleviated with pain medication, however, we recommend seeing a specialist as soon as possible.
Is TMJ Therapy the Right Option for Me?
If you’re experiencing TMJ disorders, our staff can advise you whether TMJ treatment is appropriate for you. TMJ therapy may be appropriate for you if you’re experiencing jaw pain and your normal doctor, dentist, or therapist has been unable to help you.
Is the Facial Pain I'm Experiencing Actually Because of Temporomandibular Disorder?
When you have TMJ disorder, it is important to establish the root cause of your jaw pain. TMJ disorder can come in many forms, and cause pain in the form of tension headaches, neck pain, and other chronic pain. Your TMJ syndrome may be causing these side effects, so understanding the full situation will help us treat you better.
How Do You Get TMJ Dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction is usually caused by a badly worn down joint surface of the TMJ, which leads to pain and inflammation around the TMJ. This can come in the form of:
- Stress
- Jaw Trauma
- Jaw Locking
- Teeth Grinding
- Teeth Clenching
- Unusual Jaw Movement
- Poor tooth restoration
- Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
If you find you’re waking up in the morning with a saw jaw, you may be doing one or more of these in your sleep. We recommend getting a checkup if you think you may have TMJ dysfunction.