TMJ/TMD Dentistry

Alleviating Pain from TMD/TMJ in Hardwick

The joint that connects your jaw to your skull is known as the temporomandibular joint. When this joint is misaligned, it can cause a variety of problems, and ultimately it can affect your health.

TMD is different for everyone, which is why being evaluated by a trained dentist can be critical to treatment.

Not everyone who suffers from TMJ dysfunction experiences pain, as misalignment can still be present even without regular discomfort.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) has a variety of symptoms including:

Because many of these symptoms can also be indicative of other medical complications, patients often see other professionals before receiving an oral exam by a trained dentist. This leads to TMJ dysfunction often remaining undiagnosed in many patients.

Treatment Options

At Hardwick Dental Group, we treat minor TMJ dysfunction using a bite guard. This oral appliance helps protect the teeth from involuntary action related to the disorder, such as clenching or grinding. Bite guards can be worn during the day or while you sleep, depending on your specific needs. While this therapy will not “cure” TMJ dysfunction, it can help alleviate some of the painful symptoms and make the condition more manageable. We’ll create custom occlusal guards to fit your bite, as these individualized appliances are more effective at treating TMD symptoms.
Patients with severe cases of TMD should see a specialist, which we will be happy to refer you to. When the joint is severely misaligned, a patient needs to have his/her occlusion and bite assessed in order to find the most appropriate course of treatment.

Don’t suffer any longer. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from one or more TMD symptoms, or if you suspect your joint may be misaligned, contact us today for an evaluation.