The joints connecting your lower jaw to your skull – called the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs for short – are among the most complex joints in the body. There are various ways that the TMJs themselves or the muscles surrounding them can become injured or strained, resulting in jaw pain and limited mouth mobility. There is no need to force yourself to live with a TMJ disorder; instead, you can call Dr. Cappello for an appointment to have the pain diagnosed in order to find permanent relief through TMJ/TMD treatment.
There are numerous warning signs that can point to a TMJ disorder. You might hear a clicking or popping when you talk or eat, or you may notice an occasional ringing in your ears. And of course, there’s the recurring pain or stiffness in your jaw that you’ll likely experience day after day. Even if you notice these symptoms, however, you’ll need Dr. Cappello’s help to make a proper diagnosis. Once it has been confirmed that you have a TMJ disorder, we can discuss your treatment options.
An occlusal adjustment corrects the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. A misaligned bite is one of the more common reasons for a TMJ disorder. If your mouth does not close properly, the joints will not get a chance to rest and relieve themselves of the stress they experience every day. The procedure is both painless and simple; we only need to remove small bits of enamel from select teeth so that the teeth come together evenly all throughout the mouth.
To give the TMJs and the muscles around them some extra support, we can give you an occlusal splint to wear at night (or during the day depending on your needs). The splint will help guide your lower jaw whenever you move if from side to side or front to back. In other words, it will ensure that your jaw stays in its proper position. Also, it will stop your teeth from making direct contact with each other, preventing the grinding that often contributes to TMJ disorders.
