There are hundreds of tendons, bones, muscles, and nerves within our bodies. When it comes to dentistry one very important joint that a lot of dentists focus on is the TMJ (the temporomandibular joint). When the TMJ is misaligned due to a bad bite or injury, a patient will experience all sorts of TMJ symptoms. This is because the jaw is constantly experiencing strain and pressure as the body attempts to reposition the joint. This can lead further exacerbate things and lead to increasingly severe TMJ symptoms, most of which are uncomfortable and never-ending. When a patient continuously experiences the same symptoms, it’s time to seek the help of a trained, TMJ dentist.
Some of the most common TMJ symptoms include:
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Facial pain
- Headaches/migraines
- Bruxism
- Others
If you are or have been experiencing any of these symptoms on a routine basis you may want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dunayer so that your TMJ and dental health can be assessed. If your TMJ is misaligned you will be able to work with Dr. Dunayer to talk about your symptoms and decide on possible treatment options.
TMJ-Related Headaches
Headaches and migraine-like headaches are very common symptoms that are experienced when a patient has an imbalanced TMJ. These headaches are generally continuous and while they may go away, they always come back at some point in time. When the TMJ is misaligned, the body will attempt to reposition it back to a more ideal position, but at the same time this natural attempt to correct things causes a lot of pressure and strain on the TMJ and surrounding areas, causing a negative feedback loop that just makes the headaches and other TMJ symptoms worse. Because the TMJ is connected to the skull, the nerves and muscles that make up the TMJ pass along the strain and pressure to the skull’s anatomy which can easily result in headaches. These headaches can be extremely painful at times and aren’t effectively treated with simple OTC pain medications. TMJ-related headaches will require proper treatment to experience permanent relief.
Jaw Pain
If you’re suffering from jaw pain in the West Nyack area, don’t delay. Contact us today!
Another very common and painful symptom of TMJ is jaw pain. As you can imagine when the jaw is continuously put under strain and pressure, the pain will radiate out from that specific location. The pain can vary from being dull to excruciating, but the important thing to document is whether or not the pain is constant. If your jaw pain is reoccurring then there is more than likely an imbalance or a misalignment in your bite’s occlusion that is causing problems with your TMJ’s position. There may be times when jaw pain is accompanied by popping or clicking of the jaw.
Treat Your TMJ Symptoms Today!
In order to get rid of your TMJ symptoms for good, you’ll need to come to a qualified dentist who will be able to diagnose you with TMD and provide you with a suitable treatment plan. Don’t suffer with headaches and jaw pain for any longer! Dr. Dunayer will be able to provide you with treatment that will reposition your bite so that your TMJ symptoms all but vanish. Simply call our West Nyack dental practice at (845) 627-7645 to schedule an appointment time. You can also request an appointment online!
