TMJ Disorder and TMJ Treatment – Available at Our Mountain View, California, Office – Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or TMJ disorders are medical problems related to the jaw joint. The TMJs are the two joints that link the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bone (skull), but commonly “TMJ” is used to refer to these structures in addition to the jawbone, cartilage, nerves, blood vessels, and the muscles and ligaments that make it possible to open and close the mouth. If you suffer from TMJ disorder, we offer treatment to residents of the Los Altos, Mountain View, San Jose areas.
TMJ Disorder Symptoms
Problems to this area can cause:
- Head and neck pain
- Clicking or popping when opening mouth
- Tenderness of the jaw
- Pain in and around the ear
- Difficulty when biting and chewing
- Grating sensation while chewing
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 15 percent of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain resulting from TMJ disorders. Any problem that prevents this complex system from working together properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.
If you suffer from jaw pain and believe you may have a TMJ disorder, seek treatment from our Mountain View, California office – serving Los Altos, Palo Alto, and the Greater San Jose area – and schedule a consultation with Dr. J. Brent Gorrell, our skilled cosmetic dentist.
Causes of TMJ Disorder – Bruxism
Bruxism – clenching or grinding – is a common cause of TMJ disorders. People can clench and grind subconsciously during both the day and night. Sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control. The cause of bruxism is not completely agreed upon, but daily stress may be the trigger in many people.
Clenching occurs when you tightly clamp your top and bottom teeth together. This force causes enormous stress on the muscles, tissues, and the other structures around your jaw.
Grinding occurs when you slide your teeth over each other, often in a sideways, back-and-forth movement. This action wears down the teeth and can occasionally be noisy enough to bother sleeping partners.
Bruxism can crack teeth, loosen teeth, chip tooth enamel or flatten and wear-down teeth. The TMJ treatment offered at our Mountain View, California office – serving Los Altos, Palo Alto, and northwest Santa Clara County, can be used to abate the occurrence of bruxism. The damage caused by clenching and grinding can also be corrected with the many general and cosmetic procedures available at our practice.
TMJ Disorder – The Examination
Dr. J. Brent Gorrell can help identify the source of the pain through exam and x-rays. The TMJ disorder examination may involve:
- Feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness
- Watching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shut
- Pressing around the head for areas that are sensitive or painful
- Digital X-rays which may show abnormalities
- A tomogram of the jaw area
TMJ Disorder – Treatment
Dr. Gorrell can utilize various TMJ treatment options to improve the function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Dr. Gorrell will determine the proper course of treatment. Simple and general therapies are typically recommended at first. Although initially TMJ disorders are difficult to diagnose, most cases can be successfully treated.
TMJ disorders are classified into three main groups of disorders:
- Muscle disorders (myofascial disorders) – These are the most common TMJ disorders, affecting the muscles of the face and neck associated with the jaw.
- Joint derangement disorders – caused by a dislocated jaw, injured bone, or displaced disc.
- Degenerative joint disorders – a TMJ disorder similar to arthritis and caused by wear and tear on the TMJ joints.
Once an evaluation confirms the diagnosis of a TMJ disorder, Dr. J. Brent Gorrell will determine the proper course of TMJ treatment. Most people do well with conservative therapy, such as resting the jaw or using a mouth splint. The success of treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are and how well you comply with treatment.
Contact Our Dentist – J. Brent Gorrell, D.D.S.
If you are one of the thousands of Americans who suffer chronic jaw or facial pain, you may suffer from a TMJ disorder. Arrange a consultation with Dr. J. Brent Gorrell at his Mountain View office – providing TMJ treatment to patients of Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and northwest Santa Clara County. We can relieve your pain. If bruxism has damaged your teeth, we offer an array of general and cosmetic procedures that can restore your mouth’s appearance and functionality. Contact our office and make an appointment with our dental team. We can help determine which TMJ treatment option is right for you.
Chronic jaw pain could be a treatable TMJ disorder. If you think you may suffer from a TMJ disorder, contact our Mountain View, California office and arrange a thorough examination by Dr. J. Brent Gorrell to discuss your TMJ treatment options.
Blossom Valley Center
809 Cuesta Drive, Suite 205
Mountain View, California 94040
650-265-0376
