The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, acts as a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorder (TMD) causes pain, tenderness, clicking sounds, and grating sensations and can even lead to jaw lock, where your jaw closes completely.  Luckily, TMJ treatment is available. 

If you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can’t fully open or close your mouth, you may need TMJ treatment. Here at Cupertino Dental & Facial Esthetics, our team is trained to treat your TMJ and help get you the relief you need. 

Symptoms of TMJ

Not all jaw pain or facial pain is related to TMJ. TMJ disorders mainly occur when the jaw joints aren’t working properly. Common signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include: 

• Pain or tenderness of your jaw
• Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
• Aching pain in and around your ear
• Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
• Aching facial pain
• Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth

TMJ disorders can also cause a clicking sound or grating sensation when you open your mouth or chew. But if there’s no pain or limitation of movement associated with your jaw clicking, you probably don’t need tTMJ disorder treatment. 

TMJ Treatment in Dentistry 

If you suspect that your jaw issues are related to TMJ, Dr. Saghezchi and our dental team can help. TMJ disorders are typically treated at the dentist’s office along with some at-home care.

Some common TMJ treatments may include:

• Mouthguards
• Oral splints
• Physical therapy
• Over the counter medications

It’s important to seek treatment for your TMJ disorder. Untreated TMD can mean potential risks to your health, and not just in your mouth. Some patients with TMJ suffer from insomnia, and symptoms of the disorder have been known to contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. The pain can also keep you from comfortably eating, leading to nutrition issues. 

Request an Appointment at Cupertino Dental & Facial Esthetics

Call our office in Cupertino at (408)-865-1777 if you have chronic pain or tenderness in your jaw or you can’t open and close your jaw completely. Our team can help you discuss possible causes and treatment plans, putting an end to your persistent pain.