TMJ is often caused by teeth grinding and can cause tooth pain.

TMJ dysfunction can cause several uncomfortable symptoms, including headaches, earache, make your teeth hurt and neck and jaw pain. The issue can also cause pain in the teeth, often as a result of habitual grinding and clenching. Read on to find out how the teeth may be affected by TMJ, and how you can address the issue…

What is TMJ?   

The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and is located on both sides of the head in front of the ears. When this joint is not functioning as it should, it can lead to a range of issues known collectively as TMJ disorders.

TMJ disorders can be caused by several factors, including trauma to the jaw, structural problems affecting the jaw, and arthritis. One of the most common causes of TMJ disorders is grinding and clenching of the teeth.

How does TMJ affect the teeth?

TMJ disorders can cause many symptoms, including facial and neck pain, a stiff jaw, make your teeth hurt, limited mobility of the jaw, locking of the jaw, and a grating or popping sound from the temporomandibular joint. Individuals who suffer from TMJ dysfunction may also suffer from headaches, as well as toothache and ear pain.

When it comes to the teeth specifically, grinding and clenching can lead to some serious issues. These include broken crowns and fillings, fractured teeth, receding gums, and uneven or sharp surfaces on the teeth.

What are the treatment options?

Fortunately, there are several ways in which TMJ dysfunction can be treated. If your dentist identifies the issue, they will provide you with some pain relief before recommending a treatment plan. The treatment that you choose will depend on your particular symptoms and concerns.

One of how your TMJ-related pain may be addressed is with the help of a dental splint. A splint is a specially designed appliance that fits over the teeth to prevent the upper and lower teeth from meeting. By wearing a splint, it is often possible to prevent further damage to your teeth caused by clenching and grinding and to alleviate some of your discomforts. A splint can also move the teeth into better positions over time and correct bite-related issues. By adjusting your bite to a better position, it is possible to maintain the integrity of your facial structure in the long term. Dental splints also help to relax the muscles and ligaments, which in turn eliminates tension and tightness in the facial muscles.

If you have a broken crown or filling, your dentist will repair or replace it to improve the biting surfaces of your teeth. Similarly, any fractured or worn-down teeth can be treated to resolve some of the effects of grinding. If your dentist identifies a problem with your bite, they may recommend a treatment to resolve the issue.

How can we help?

At Crown Dental Group, we screen for signs of grinding and clenching as part of every dental examination. If your dentist identifies signs of TMJ syndrome, they will customise a treatment plan best suited to your needs. We offer grinding splints that are custom made in our on-site laboratory from durable dental acrylic, which can be very helpful in safeguarding the teeth from damage. We can also repair or replace any damaged dental work that you have to restore your oral health.

If you would like to find out more about TMJ treatment at Crown Dental Group, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange an appointment to see us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here or give us a call on (03) 8288 1477.  

Besides TMJ treatments, we offer a comprehensive range of general and cosmetic dental services. To find out more about the treatments that we offer, please have a look here.

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