We relieve headaches, jaw pain, and other symptoms of TMJ disorder conservatively, easily, and affordably
Manchester Dental takes great pride in supporting a lifetime of excellent oral health and wellness for neighbors in our community and throughout west-central Georgia — Shiloh, Warm Springs, Greenville, Luthersville, and places in between!
Led by Dr. Abel Aguilar, our talented team appreciates that oral health and well-being are about more than the condition of your teeth and gums. In fact, if you have noticed new or worsening jaw pain, migraines, and earaches, you may have TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. As professionals in maxillofacial anatomy and function, you have arrived at the right place for conservative, hassle-free, effective, and affordable treatment of this common, enigmatic, and often distressing condition.
The truth about TMJDs
TMJ is a term that refers to the “hinge” or “temporomandibular joint” that connects the jawbone to the skull. It is not a condition. “TMD” is short for “temporomandibular joint disorders” or “temporomandibular joint dysfunction.”
This diagnostic term is widely accepted by professionals and describes a collection of symptoms and diseases usually found among TMJD patients. In addition to the pain described above, many of our patients have experienced the following:
- Jaw stiffness or immobility (problems opening and closing the mouth)
- “Noisy” jaws or clicking and popping sounds when chewing and moving the mouth
- Chronic bruxism (jaw clenching and teeth grinding)
- Severe wear and tear to the teeth
- Premature damage to crowns and other dental restorations
- “Bite” changes (imbalances with how the opposing teeth in the upper and lower jaws make contact with each other when biting down)
The severity of symptoms varies considerably from individual to individual and may even flux over time among the same patient; for instance, minor aches and pains can become much more debilitating and more frequent without treatment. The common belief is that factors such as stress can contribute to muscle tension and make symptoms worse.
Treatment for lasting relief
You don’t have to undergo surgical treatments to get relief from TMD problems that adversely affect the quality of your life. Dr. Aguilar accurately pinpoints the true nature of your condition and the potential causes of troubling symptoms with thorough, comprehensive evaluations. Our team is also equipped with precise diagnostics. With an accurate diagnosis in hand and a more complete picture of your condition, a treatment may be recommended that actually blends several approaches. Therapeutic options may include those treatments or techniques for malocclusion or irregular contact between the teeth in the upper and lower jaws.
Dr. Aguilar may recommend orthodontic treatments, such as Invisalign®, or other approaches to align your teeth and custom-fitted dental appliances. These oral appliances come in many different types and forms, but they generally reposition the jaws and promote a more relaxed oral posture. Such adjustments help to ease the stress that may be placed on the jaw joints when, for instance, patients habitually grind their teeth when sleeping. And, while pain relievers and muscle relaxers may provide symptom relief, some of the approaches mentioned here (as well as others, like dental reconstruction) can reduce or eliminate the need for such medications. These alternatives relieve symptoms for good by resolving the root of the problem.
Freedom from pain is a phone call away at your neighborhood dental “home.” Contact Manchester Dental at (706) 981-6272 to schedule your evaluation with Dr. Aguilar today.