Red Deer TMJ/TMD Therapy

Do you suffer from chronic neck pain or headaches? Do you have trouble opening or closing your mouth when eating or speaking? Do you notice that your jaw pops or clicks and/or have been experiencing radiating pain in your jaw? If you answer yes to any of these questions, it is possible you might be suffering from TMJ pain, also known as Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD).

Lume Dental understands that TMD pain can have significant negative effects on your life, which is why we are dedicated to providing TMD sufferers with effective and safe treatment options to help ease discomfort and attain better overall health and wellness.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull on both sides of your head. It allows you to open and close your mouth, as well as move your jaw from side to side. For most people the TMJ works well and does not cause any problems. For others, however, problems arise with the TMJ that can cause extreme pain and negatively affect overall health.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are problems associated with the movement of the jaw and any pain felt in and around the jaw. Some people experience problems with their temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when they become stressed and overworked, which can in turn lead to TMD. One of the most common forms of TMD is bruxism, which presents as clenching, gnashing or grinding of the teeth and jaw.

If you are experiencing some or any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from a temporomandibular disorder:

• Chronic fatigue
• Tired or tight jaw muscles
• Sleep disruption
• Discomfort in your head, jaw, neck, face, back or shoulders
• Ear pain, hearing difficulties, or ringing in your ears
• Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth that may be loud enough to wake your sleeping partner
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or your jaw may lock preventing any motion at all
• Teeth that are fractured, chipped, loose or flattened
• Worn tooth enamel
• Damage from chewing or biting the inside of your cheek
• Increased tooth sensitivity or tooth pain
• Popping or grating sounds in your jaw joints
• Chronic migraines or headaches

Bruxism is a common form of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) that involves clenching, grinding, or gnashing of the teeth. This is something that may be done unconsciously while you are awake or while you are asleep. While mild bruxism often requires no treatment, people experiencing frequent and severe bruxism may experience significant discomfort, jaw pain, damaged teeth, headaches, loose teeth, and other serious health concerns.

While mild Bruxism or TMD often requires no treatment, if you are experiencing severe and frequent enough symptoms you may require treatment. That is why Lume Dental is pleased to offer TMJ/TMD therapy to help improve your overall health and wellness.

There are a number of symptoms associated with TMD, which makes it difficult to determine the right treatment for those suffering from symptoms. To find the right treatment you may need to consult with multiple health care professionals, including physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and other health professionals.

With the proper diagnosis, the Lume Dental Team may be able to help determine the main cause of your TMD and work together with you and other professionals to determine an individualized treatment plan best suited for your specific needs. Our ultimate goal is to help relieve your pain and discomfort, as well as address any damage associated with your TMD.

The Lume Dental professional team is trained to provide long-term solutions for TMJ/TMD, which can include bite rehabilitation and orthodontic treatments. We are pleased to offer custom-made TMJ appliances that help support your jaw joints, muscles, and teeth in a beneficial position in order to help ease the discomfort associated with TMJ pain. These appliances are custom-made plastic dental mouth guards that are worn over your teeth at night to help realign your jaw and ease the pain associated with any misalignment. Bruxism appliances, or “Night Guards,” also help protect your teeth from the premature physical wear and tear resulting from teeth grinding and gnashing. This means that rather than wearing down your enamel, you bite against the appliance and wear the appliance down instead, preventing permanent damage to your teeth. A bruxism grinding appliance treats bruxism before there is permanent and severe damage to the teeth. The appliance also helps to decrease the symptoms of headaches and pain in the face, cranial, neck, shoulder, arm, and back regions by shutting the muscle activity off, allowing the overworked muscles to relax. The Lume Dental team is trained to provide TMJ/TMD therapy solutions to help you get back to feeling your best and improving your overall health and wellness.