If this sounds familiar, you may be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder and could significantly benefit from TMJ therapy from one of our qualified and experienced clinicians.
The temporomandibular joint, commonly known as the TMJ, is the small joint under your ear that joins your skull to your lower jaw. Teeth grinding and clenching, stress, poor posture, injury and some illnesses can all cause TMJ injury and result in face and jaw pain ranging from uncomfortable to unbearable.
At Belmore Dental Implant Clinic we have a number of treatments available to treat TMJ problems depending on the cause and the severity of the case.
At the initial appointment your dentist will carry out a thorough examination and assessment of your teeth, jaws and bite relationship, this will allow them to determine the most likely cause of your discomfort and thus provide the best treatment plan for you.
Your dentist may recommend to start with a conservative treatment such as a Lucia jig, a night bite guard or a splint. Each of these treatments will differ slightly but all of them are designed to either prevent clenching or grinding or to help you break these habits, taking the pressure off your jaws and teeth and easing the pain.
Another treatment option that we offer at Belmore Dental Implant Clinic is Botulinum Toxin Type A, (BTx-A). BTx-A is a purified natural protein that is administered through the skin to work on the underlying muscles of the head and face, blocking the release of neurotransmitters from nerve endings. Although most commonly used to stop muscle contraction, it can also relieve pain by preventing nerves from releasing inflammatory molecules. BTx-A is used to target the temporalis muscles around the temples and the powerful masseter muscles in the cheeks. Patients will still be able to chew and function perfectly normally and facial expressions will be unaffected by this treatment.
Botulinum Toxin treatment is a simple, non-surgical treatment that can temporarily decrease the number of TMJ clenching events and their intensity. This in turn will reduce the destruction of teeth and gums and reduce discomfort and pain from the joints/muscles. The results are often felt within 24-48 hours and full effects will be noticeable after 10 days. The downside to this treatment is that it is not permanent, with results lasting from around 3-6 months. There is also the likely possibility that with frequent treatments, the injected muscles will atrophy, allowing the patient to go longer between treatments.
If it is determined that your TMJ issues are being caused by a 'bad bite' due to misalignment of the teeth then orthodontic treatment may be required in order to correct this and prevent further strain on your teeth.
If face, neck and jaw pain is getting you down you don't have to continue suffering, with plenty of treatment options available at Belmore Dental, get in touch today to arrange your consultation.
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Enniskillen
02866 329222
Belmore Dental Implant & Facial Clinic
"All I can say is WOW. For as long as I can remember I've had so much pain in my jaw and neck but the relief in such a short space of time following the injectable treatment has been amazing. I am definitely going to keep up with this now as I am genuinely so pleased by the result. Thank you so much!"
