If you experience headaches, clicking or popping of your jaw, neck pain, or ringing in your ears, you could suffer from TMJ dysfunction. At Yolanda Cruz Dentistry, we can work with you to alleviate the symptoms and give you a healthy, functional smile.

TMJ dysfunction occurs because of disharmony between your jaw joints and chewing system. The temporomandibular joints are the small, triangular joints that connect your jaws to sides of your head. These joints work with the associated nervous and muscles to give you to a full range of motion. Stress, injury, and fatigue can disrupt balance and strain the whole system. When this occurs, patients often have limited movement, alignment problems, and pain.

Common signs of TMD include:

• Clenching and grinding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness
• Migraines
• Limited jaw movement
• Neck aches
• Tenderness in jaw muscles
• Tingling in the extremities

To confirm TMJ dysfunction, the dentist or orthodontist can perform a complete exam. Once TMD has been identified, you can work with the dentist to determine the best treatment. Non-surgical TMD therapy can include strengthening exercises, crowns or fillings to repair damaged teeth, hot or cold compresses to ease discomfort, and an oral appliance called a bite guard. Customized to fit your mouth, this device keeps your teeth and jaw in the correct position, which eliminates pressure on the TMJ and strained muscles. Early treatment can help you avoid extensive damage, so contact your dentist right away if you suspect TMJ dysfunction.

Schedule your consult today at Dr. Yolanda Cruz Dentistry in Toronto – Yolanda Cruz DDS