TMD Treatment
At Delisle Dental Group, our downtown Toronto dentists can help diagnose and treat jaw pain and headaches caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
What are Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)?
TMD occurs when there is a problem with one or both of your jaw joints (temporomandibular joints - TMJs) and/or the muscles that support them.
Your TMJs are the hinge joints that connect your jaw bone to the temporal bones of your skull. Located on either side of your head right in front of your ears, they let you move your jaw up and down and side to side so you can talk and chew.
TMD may cause symptoms like jaw pain and headaches. If left untreated, they can lead to persistent pain and in some cases bone loss.
Temporomandibular disorders are caused by many factors which may include, but are not limited to, genetics, injury or trauma to the jaw, oral behaviours (habits such as wake-time tooth clenching), shape of your jaw, and position of your teeth.
TMJ Disorder Symptoms
TMJ Disorder can cause a variety of painful symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Jaw fatigue
- Jaw, face and/or neck pain
- Chewing difficulty
- Headaches
- Teeth grinding (usually during sleep)
- Ringing in the ears
If you are experiencing any symptoms, contact us for a proper diagnosis from Dr. Iacopo Cioffi.
TMJ Disorder Treatment
At Delisle Dental Group, our dentist Dr. Cioffi can test for, diagnose and treat TMD. Treatment for TMD comes in many forms and varies depending on the patient's unique needs.
Depending on your case, your TMJ treatment may include wearing a mouth guard during sleep to prevent clenching and grinding. It may also include relaxation techniques, physical therapy, or an electrical stimulus device to encourage the facial muscles to relax.
Dr. Cioffi may also use splints (night guards), behavioural therapy, manual therapy, and pharmacological treatment to help treat or manage your TMD.
Some people may need orthodontic treatment to correct underlying dental misalignment issues, which could compromise the function of the jaw muscles and make TMD symptoms worse. Dr. Cioffi will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your specific needs.