TMJ Treatment City

Jaw pain can range from mild and fleeting to chronic, intense, and disruptive discomfort that gets in the way of eating and speaking. Persistent jaw pain may be caused by TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The good news is that Dr. Walker and our Kernersville team offer TMJ treatment that can relieve persistent jaw pain, prevent dental damage, and help you get back to enjoying your life!

What Is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is at the base of your jaw and just in front of your ears. It is a network of bones, ligaments, and nerves that helps your jaw open, close, and move from side to side. Normally, the joint can move without issue — but when something is off with its alignment, you will likely feel it. TMD (which is often simply called “TMJ”) is the dysfunction of this jaw joint, either due to an injury, stress, misaligned teeth, teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism), or another factor.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Some of the most common warning signs of TMD include:

• Chronic jaw pain.
• A click or pop when you open and close your mouth.
• Migraines or headaches.
• Neck and/or ear pain.
• Ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
• Nighttime teeth grinding.
• Pain behind your eyes.
• The sensation of lockjaw or limited jaw mobility.
• Visibly worn teeth.
• Neck and shoulder pain.
• Changes in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together.

Types of TMJ Treatment

You can find effective treatment for TMD in Kernersville by visiting a qualified dentist. As an expert in everything related to your teeth and oral structures, Dr. Walker is especially well equipped to help you find relief from this bothersome condition.

When you visit us for an appointment, Dr. Walker will evaluate the positioning of your teeth and jaws, as well as ask you about your symptoms. After gathering adequate information, he can advise you on your next steps. He might inform you that you should start wearing a nightguard.

Nightguards

A custom-fitted mouthguard, also known as a nightguard, can help to protect the tooth enamel from the excessive pressure caused by grinding and jaw clenching while you are asleep. In turn, this may significantly relieve TMD symptoms. A device that repositions your jaw can also reduce the occurrence of jaw clenching that causes the TMJ to ache during the day.