TMJ Treatment in Camarillo, CA 93010
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint located on either side of your head that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Together with a number of other muscles and ligaments, the TMJ facilitates complex jaw movements, such as talking, eating, swallowing, and yawning.
The large number of functions that the TMJ is responsible for making it one of the most important joints in the human body. Damage or injury to this joint can disrupt those functions while also causing acute or chronic pain to the jaw, neck, head, shoulders, and face.
If you are experiencing issues with your temporomandibular joint and looking for TMJ treatment near you, the team of dental professionals at Woodcreek Dental can help to diagnose your issue and offer solutions so that you can find lasting relief from your symptoms.
Causes, Symptoms, and Signs of TMJ
When your TMJ is unable to function properly, you likely have something known as a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). There are a number of reasons why someone might experience TMD.
You may suffer from TMD if:
- You’ve sustained an injury to your teeth or jaw.
- You have poor oral habits.
- You suffer from arthritis or a misaligned jaw.
- You clench or grind your teeth often (also known as bruxism).
- You experience chronic stress.
Other factors that may contribute to TMD are fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and age-related wear.
TMD symptoms are usually classified as acute or chronic. Sufferers may experience pain in their jaw, neck, face, head, shoulders, and ears, as well as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss. Other symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and swelling of the face and mouth.
TMD can also be identified by clicking, popping, or grating sounds when eating or yawning or by muscle spasms that make swallowing difficult.
Treating Temporomandibular Disorders in Camarillo, CA 93010
Because TMD has a wide variety of causes, determining an effective treatment is highly dependent on a detailed and accurate diagnosis.
The first course of action is to review your medical history in order to narrow down potential causes. Next, you will receive a physical examination of your head, face, neck, and temporomandibular joints in order to assess your symptoms. The dentist will take note of any pain, swelling, tenderness, muscle spasms, or irregular joint movements. Sometimes, additional diagnostic tools, such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasounds, might be used to get a more detailed diagnosis.
Once the examination is complete, treatment options will be suggested to you based on your dentist’s findings. Common treatments include anti-inflammatory or pain medications, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, and lifestyle or diet changes. In cases where bruxism is the presumed cause, daytime or nighttime mouth guard may be suggested.
With chronic TMD, we may refer you to an ENT, a physiotherapist, or a physical therapist. Non-surgical treatments for TMD tend to work effectively, especially when the condition is diagnosed early, so surgery is rarely a suggested solution.
Looking for TMJ Treatment Near You?
If you’re in need of TMJ treatment in Camarillo, CA 93010, contact Woodcreek Dental or call (805) 482-6389 today to schedule your consultation.
