Nobody deserves to live a life with constant mouth pain. But those who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly called TMJ disorder or TMD, often find themselves with recurring jaw pain, headaches, and overall discomfort. This is because the temporomandibular joint that connects the jaw to the skull has become inflamed and overworked. TMJ disorder can develop from many different causes, including genetics, misaligned teeth, or even after an accident that affects the head or jaw.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
- Popping or clicking sounds when using your mouth
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Recurring earaches
- Mouth or neck pain
- Your jaw “locks” open or closed
Diagnose Your TMJ Concerns with an Oral Exam
TMJ disorder often goes underdiagnosed because many people just blame stress as the reason for their pain or discomfort. And while it may be that for some, it is worth having an oral exam performed by a dental professional trained in TMJ therapy to find out for sure. Dr. Mahnaz Rashti has years of experience and training in diagnosing and treating even the most complex of TMJ cases. Many times, Dr. Rashti discovers that a patient’s TMJ concerns are due to a collapsed bite or lack of posterior tooth support.
Treatment Solutions for TMJ Disorder
When it comes to treating cases of TMJ disorder, MR Dental Aesthetics has a variety of solutions depending on the severity of your case. After an official diagnosis, Dr. Rashti will create a personalized treatment plan to help. For simple cases, adjusting the bite by realigning the jaw or teeth can dramatically help. For more complex cases, full mouth reconstruction is the best solution. This can replace missing teeth that are leading to a collapsed bite and lack of jaw support which causes the excessive strain on your jaw joints.
Nightguards
Nightguards are specially designed oral appliances that play a significant role in alleviating the symptoms of TMJ disorder. They primarily work by reducing the strain on the jaw joints and muscles, which is particularly beneficial for patients who grind their teeth or clench their jaws during sleep. This cushioning effect not only alleviates stress on the jaw but also helps in preventing the wear and tear of teeth, a common consequence of prolonged grinding or clenching.
Occlusal Adjustment
For more simple TMJ cases, Dr. Rashti can identify where the imbalances are in your bite and make the necessary adjustments to correct them. Many times this includes a minor filing of the cusps of the teeth to make them line up better or an oral appliance can be used to realign the overall jaw.
Facial Rejuvenation
While often associated with cosmetic procedures, facial rejuvenation has shown promising results in alleviating symptoms of TMJ disorders. Facial rejuvenation works by targeting specific muscles in the face and jaw that are responsible for the dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. The procedure involves injecting a solution, which helps in relaxing these muscles, thereby reducing tension and discomfort. This treatment can be particularly beneficial for patients experiencing severe jaw tension, frequent headaches, and other related symptoms of TMD.
Dental Implants
Many patients who are missing their back teeth (molars) experience TMJ problems because their jaw is out of alignment while resting and while in use. Undue stress is being put on the joints to keep the mouth working properly. By replacing these missing teeth with implants, balance can be restored to the mouth and patients often feel immediate relief.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
For cases of severe TMJ disorder, a full mouth reconstruction may be required. Dr. Rashti will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that includes multiple restorative and functional solutions to correct the problem. This may include a combination of occlusal adjustment, implants, and even bone grafting to reach success, but the results are well worthwhile.
Choose an Experienced TMJ Professional
When you are living in constant discomfort, you owe it to yourself to see the best doctor you can. Dr. Rashti and our team at MR Dental Aesthetics in Beverly Hills, CA will get to the root cause of your problem and lead you to a solution. As a TMJ specialist, Dr. Rashti will guide you to a long-lasting solution and help you get out of discomfort and back to enjoying your life and smiling again. Her treatment plans are designed to focus on the patient behind the smile and target the problem area directly.
Why You Should Choose Us
When it comes to choosing a professional for your cosmetic smile care, Dr. Mahnaz Rashti is the obvious choice. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Rashti is known around the world for her personable approach and talented skill. With respect to all aspects of her practice, Dr. Rashti excels and delivers exceptional results.
Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Rashti truly cares about her patients. She takes the time to listen to their concerns and works with them to determine a plan of action that meets their expectations. Her goal is to help each patient achieve their best possible smile, and she achieves this through a combination of superior technical ability and compassionate care.
If you are looking for an office that can provide you with beautiful, long-lasting results for your porcelain veneers, then look no further than MR Dental Aesthetic. We are confident that we will exceed your expectations and give you the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
