Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can be an absolutely crippling, painful problem that can seriously affect your day to day routine. Although the disorder does not get much media attention, and it may not be as well known as other dental issues, more than 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ-related pain. That is a staggering number of people who feel the pain and suffering from this treatable condition. So, how do you know if you deal with this disorder? What steps can you take to treat it?

What Causes TMJ and What Are the Symptoms?

Though the origin of the disorder is still unknown, many dentists believe the issues arise when the two small joints in front of the ears experience some sort of malfunction. These joints control the opening and closing of your jaw, but when disturbed by physical injury, bite misalignment, any aggressive stress, or excessive grinding of the teeth, the joints and the surrounding muscles become over-stimulated, which causes tremendous pain.

There are various symptoms that overtake the face and body when TMJ becomes a problem, including chronic headaches, unexplained facial, neck, shoulder, jaw, or lower back pain, popping jaw, bruxism, inability to fully open or close your mouth, chronic ear aches, and tingling in the hands or fingers.

Is There an Effective Treatment?

Dr. Salivonchik, head of Lehigh Valley Dental Health, has years of experience evaluating and treating this condition. In order to effectively treat your issue, he will perform a comprehensive examination of your head, neck, mouth, and jaw to properly isolate and treat the source. He will then create a custom oral appliance, or nightguard, to fit comfortably within your mouth to relax the stressed jaw muscles and relax the mouth. The appliance will ease the tension and correct the displacement experienced, decreasing the pain and eliminating the problem altogether. A three-month regimen of nightly oral appliance is required to rid the distress.

I Really Need Help Getting Rid of My TMJ.

TMJ is a persistent problem and one that should be fixed immediately. If you are experiencing these symptoms, or if you feel that this is a growing issue for you, contact our offices as soon as possible and schedule a consultation for TMJ therapy. Our practice, located in Lehigh Valley, PA, happily serves Coplay, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and the surrounding areas.