TMJ/Teeth Grinding in Melbourne CBD
TMJ disorder refers to pain in the temporomandibular, or jaw, joint and the associated muscles. About 30% of people suffer from this disorder at some point in their lives.
The complicated jaw joint suffers when you overuse your jaw muscles, most commonly by clenching and grinding at night. Any unevenness in your bite caused by crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw bone can also cause this pain. Other contributing factors include stress and even sleep apnoea.
What Are the Benefits of Treatment?
Jaw pain can severely impact your quality of life, causing discomfort in the jaw, in front of your eyes, or radiating all over your head. Some people experience clicking or popping sounds when moving their jaw, tight muscles in the face or neck, or difficulty chewing and opening or closing their mouth properly. When untreated, these symptoms can even lead to depression.
Addressing the underlying causes of TMJD protects your teeth while relieving frequent headaches, jaw pain, stiffness, and clicking or locking. Our patients who’ve been treated for TMJD, snoring or sleep apnoea directly attribute to this treatment the associated improvements in their energy levels, ability to function at work and home and often their relationships. The benefits can be life-changing.
What to Expect
The key to treating TMJ is to diagnose the root cause or contributing factors so the problem doesn’t keep coming back. We may be able to fix a minor problem with your bite by reshaping a tooth, allowing the teeth to mesh better and removing the trauma from the jaw joint.
If you have a more significantly uneven bite, you may need a neutral surface for your teeth to bite against. We can make an occlusal (bite) splint customised to the shape of your mouth to relieve discomfort.
If we suspect sleep apnoea, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist for an evaluation, as this can have severe consequences on your health and longevity. We may also recommend muscle relaxant medication, an anti-snoring device, orthodontic treatment, relaxation techniques, or jaw exercises.
Push Back Against Pain Today
Our highly experienced team at Collins Dental Image is eager to help you put pain behind you. Schedule your first appointment now.
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Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
