What is TMJ?

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint disorder which is also sometimes called TMD. It’s a painful condition affecting your jaw joints which are responsible for moving your lower jaw. Common symptoms include stiffness and pain in your jaw joints, especially when you try to open or close your mouth, or when you talk or chew food. Your jaw might make a clicking or popping sound as you open or close it. The pain from your jaw joints can extend into your face, neck and even into your shoulders, and it may cause chronic headaches. Sometimes people with TMJ will develop earache.

What Causes TMJ?

One of the most common causes of TMJ is bruxism where people clench and grind their teeth, often while asleep. This nocturnal habit can cause enormous damage to teeth, gums and to the jaw joints but is easily diagnosed by our dentists here at Apple Dental. If you recognise any of the symptoms listed above, it is worth booking a checkup. Often TMJ can be treated with a custom-made night guard or bite splint. This prevents you from clenching and grinding during sleep. Other possible treatments include muscle relaxant medications and pain relief for your jaw joint pain.

Treating TMJ with Facial Injectables

Facial injectables are often a very effective way to reduce TMJ pain, by injecting small amounts of muscle relaxers directly into the masseter muscles. This reduces the activity of these muscles during sleep, helping to prevent the harmful effects of clenching and grinding, and your jaw muscle pain.