Brighton Dental Centre - Brighton

TMJ Therapy in Brighton

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint and TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. TMJ and TMD are both often used to describe the conditions affecting the muscles, nerves and joints of the jaw.
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Jaw pain is not normal.

If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may seem normal to you. The truth is, jaw pain is far from normal and may be a symptom of a condition called TMD from one or both of your TMJs. Those are the joints of your lower jaw, called TemporoMandibular Joints. When disease or misalignment occurs, the TMJ and surrounding area becomes inflamed — which is what causes pain and other symptoms.

    What are the signs of TMJ disorder (TMD)?
  • Headaches
  • Earaches, tenderness around the ear
  • Face or jaw pain and tenderness
  • Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
  • Difficulty chewing, yawning or opening your mouth

How do we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder?

Diagnosis

Treatment of TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical examination, to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will check for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If the disorder is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.

Treatment and Relief

Our treatment application involves bite splints, which are custom-created plastic mouthpieces, designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These type of devices prevent the grinding and clenching that often causes or worsens TMD. The splint also realigns the jaw, removing stress on the surrounding area.

Alternative Treatment Options

If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are the cause of your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite is placing undue pressure on the TMJ’s, we may suggest reshaping individual teeth to redistribute the bite force evenly.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed we refer to that as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD for short.
Signs or symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth, and a clicking, popping, crunching or grinding noise when you chew, yawn or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches.
TMD is caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries and joint disease, such as arthritis. It’s believed that bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and head or neck muscle tension may make TMD symptoms worse. Stress is also a possible factor. However, it is not clear if stress causes TMD or is a result. Other things that may lead to TMDs are partial or full dentures that are not the right fit and certain habits such as fingernail biting and pen or pencil biting. As you can see, there are an array of different causes which makes TMD hard to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms are to book an appointment.
There are many possible causes of headaches. No doctor will be able to determine the cause of your headache without a physical examination.
Most often, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non-invasive treatments and therapies. In very rare circumstances, TMD may require surgery. Your health and happiness are both important to us. We will always present you with all of your options, work through the safest and easiest options first, and give you the final decision on what happens next.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Noel Agcaoili
1 month ago
Moved here from Toronto several years ago and I must say the dental equipments are at par, if not better. Level of service is phenomenal. Shout out to Hygienist Holly, who is amazing at what she does. Has soft and gentle touch when working on your teeth, with matching good singing voice to make you forget you’re sitting on a dental chair. Good Job!
More
Leanne MacMullin
3 months ago
My first visit was today for a cleaning, Jen was excellent and she listened to all my concerns before we started the appointment. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. The front staff were very friendly, the office was very clean and bright. Thank you for being patient.
More
Tina
3 months ago
I could go on and on about my experience because it was that great.. However, I will say, everything about my experience today exceeded my expectations and I do highly recommend.. My future looks brighter now that I made the switch to this dental office.. Not even kidding.. It’s the little things! Thank you Brighton Dental Centre, Tina 🙂
More
Mary Adams
3 months ago
From the time I was a child, I have never liked visiting the dentist. Although I still cannot say I "enjoy" it, the team at Brighton Dental Centre has turned my dental experiences and outlook around. From the skilled dentists to the friendly, efficient support staff, you feel well cared for from start to finish. On my first visit I was impressed with the bright and modern space transformation and the modern technology used in every procedure. Costs are clearly laid out and relayed before your visit so there are no surprises. All of the staff are very kind and strive to make your appointment run smoothly and on time. If you are looking for a new dentist, as I was, you won't find a better place to go. I highly recommend Brighton Dental Centre.
More
Love my Hygienist, Holly! Dr. Saxena is very knowledgeable and personable. The front office staff are always very nice and take their time to answer any questions.
More
Noel Agcaoili
1 month ago
Moved here from Toronto several years ago and I must say the dental equipments are at par, if not better. Level of service is phenomenal. Shout out to Hygienist Holly, who is amazing at what she does. Has soft and gentle touch when working on your teeth, with matching good singing voice to make you forget you’re sitting on a dental chair. Good Job!
More
Leanne MacMullin
3 months ago
My first visit was today for a cleaning, Jen was excellent and she listened to all my concerns before we started the appointment. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. The front staff were very friendly, the office was very clean and bright. Thank you for being patient.
More
Tina
3 months ago
I could go on and on about my experience because it was that great.. However, I will say, everything about my experience today exceeded my expectations and I do highly recommend.. My future looks brighter now that I made the switch to this dental office.. Not even kidding.. It’s the little things! Thank you Brighton Dental Centre, Tina 🙂
More
Mary Adams
3 months ago
From the time I was a child, I have never liked visiting the dentist. Although I still cannot say I "enjoy" it, the team at Brighton Dental Centre has turned my dental experiences and outlook around. From the skilled dentists to the friendly, efficient support staff, you feel well cared for from start to finish. On my first visit I was impressed with the bright and modern space transformation and the modern technology used in every procedure. Costs are clearly laid out and relayed before your visit so there are no surprises. All of the staff are very kind and strive to make your appointment run smoothly and on time. If you are looking for a new dentist, as I was, you won't find a better place to go. I highly recommend Brighton Dental Centre.
More
Love my Hygienist, Holly! Dr. Saxena is very knowledgeable and personable. The front office staff are always very nice and take their time to answer any questions.
More
Brighton Dental Centre - Brighton

Request an Appointment Today

Call 613-701-9751