TMJ Treatment

Sometimes, chronic stress or high-pressure situations causes people to develop a damaging habit known as bruxism, unconsciously biting down with too much force at non-mealtimes. This can wear down back teeth to alter how upper and lower teeth fit together.

TMJ Disorder Causes

  • Head, neck, face pain
  • Headaches & migraines
  • Chronic earaches
  • Popping, clicking jaw joints
  • Tingling fingers
  • Teeth grinding & clenching
  • Tooth wear & breakage

For many people, the way their teeth fit together causes stress on the jaw muscles and joints. Several people grind or clench their teeth. Regardless of the reason, a poor bite and frequent grinding and/or clenching can cause serious damage and pain to teeth, jawbone and the muscles and joints controlling the jaw. Many people suffer from headaches and head and neck muscle pain, as well as ear pain, including popping and clicking noises near the ear when they open or close the mouth.

10 million Americans suffer from TMJ at any given time.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints, the two skeletal hinges that connect the jaw to the skull. When these joints are improperly aligned, they overwork muscles and irritate nerves. This causes many painful symptoms.

Whether the problem results from a poor bite, or from frequent grinding or clenching, the jaw muscles never get a chance to rest. Overworked and fatigued, they tend to go into spasms. Some people can wear their teeth right down to the gum line, some will experience loose teeth, and some will have pain in or near the ear and possibly radiating over the head and neck. The muscles need a chance to rest. Devices can be made to provide rest for the muscles, and thus alleviate many of the above symptoms.

The FDA has cleared for marketing for the first time a device that prevents medically diagnosed migraine pain, tension-type headache, and jaw disorders (TMJ), without drugs or surgery, through the reduction of trigeminally innervated muscular activity. We offer the NTI appliance and can set up a time to speak with you in more detail regarding how it works and whether you are a candidate. You may also visit www.headacheprevention.com.

Reserve Your Appointment Today!

Call 5280 Dental to reserve your personal consultation and comprehensive exam with Dr. Erich Zimmermann. We have served Cherry Creek and patients from Denver, Aurora, and surrounding communities since 1993.