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Millions of people suffer from TMJ disorders, which include a number of disorders of the jaw joint and surrounding tissues. Some symptoms include clicking, popping and locking of the jaw and pain when you chew or open your mouth wide. Many ailments such as migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears to name just a few, can also be caused by TMJ disorder. Due to the chronic pain, TMJ related problems can also lead to stress related illnesses and depression. Many times these symptoms are misdiagnosed.
We can help ease the pain and treat the underlying causes of your problem. During each comprehensive new patients' examination we closely examine the bite and jaw movements, and are able to detect and address any problems. With our specialized TMJ Doppler/Ultrasound equipment, we can detect exactly where the problem is occurring in the jaw joint. Our office also uses the BiteFX program, which demonstrates and explains what is happening within an abnormal jaw joint or unstable bite. Dr. Peck strongly believes that his patients should clearly understand any problems and be well informed when making decisions about their treatment.
Recognizing the Symptoms of TMJ
Symptoms such as headaches, jaw clicking and popping, jaw tenderness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), gum disease and balance disorders can be caused by TMJ Disorder. Some patients also complain of sinus pain, limited jaw movement, dizziness, and unexplained sore throats. Historically, many of these symptoms have been incorrectly linked to other ailments. For instance, the most common of the symptoms -- frequent headaches -- was often lumped under the heading of migraines. We now know that the muscles that tighten during jaw clenching and teeth grinding can cause headaches.
Another symptom is neck and shoulder pain. While discomfort in this part of the body might seem unrelated to the mouth area, those who suffer from sore jaw muscles are likely to repeatedly tilt their heads, thereby forcing the neck, shoulder, and back muscles to compensate. Tingling or numbness in the hands and arms could also be an unsuspected sign of TMJ disorder, resulting from muscle spasms in the jaw, neck, back, and face that pinch nerves leading down the arms and hands. Yet another often misdiagnosed symptom is depression, which is caused by chemical changes in the brain brought on by chronic pain.
Dr. Peck will make sure that your smile is as healthy as it is beautiful.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Recognizing the Symptoms of TMJ
TMJ/Bite Stabilization Therapy
TMJ/Bite Stability Questionnaire |
