July 29, 2020 by

TMJ Therapy in Burlington

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint and TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. TMJ and TMD are both often used to describe the conditions affecting the muscles, nerves and joints of the jaw.

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Jaw pain is not normal.

If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may seem normal to you. The truth is, jaw pain is far from normal and may be a symptom of a condition called TMD from one or both of your TMJs. Those are the joints of your lower jaw, called TemporoMandibular Joints. When disease or misalignment occurs, the TMJ and surrounding area becomes inflamed — which is what causes pain and other symptoms.

What are the signs of TMJ disorder (TMD)?

Headaches
Earaches, tenderness around the ear
Face or jaw pain and tenderness
Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back
Ringing in the ears
Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
Difficulty chewing, yawning or opening your mouth

How do we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder?

Diagnosis

Treatment of TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical examination, to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will check for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If the disorder is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.

Treatment and Relief

Our treatment application involves bite splints, which are custom-created plastic mouthpieces, designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These type of devices prevent the grinding and clenching that often causes or worsens TMD. The splint also realigns the jaw, removing stress on the surrounding area.

Alternative Treatment Options

If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are the cause of your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite is placing undue pressure on the TMJ’s, we may suggest reshaping individual teeth to redistribute the bite force evenly.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed we refer to that as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD for short.

Signs or symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth, and a clicking, popping, crunching or grinding noise when you chew, yawn or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches.

TMD is caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries and joint disease, such as arthritis. It’s believed that bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and head or neck muscle tension may make TMD symptoms worse. Stress is also a possible factor. However, it is not clear if stress causes TMD or is a result. Other things that may lead to TMDs are partial or full dentures that are not the right fit and certain habits such as fingernail biting and pen or pencil biting. As you can see, there are an array of different causes which makes TMD hard to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms are to book an appointment.

There are many possible causes of headaches. No doctor will be able to determine the cause of your headache without a physical examination.

Most often, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non-invasive treatments and therapies. In very rare circumstances, TMD may require surgery. Your health and happiness are both important to us. We will always present you with all of your options, work through the safest and easiest options first, and give you the final decision on what happens next.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Had my check up and treatment with Dr Arij she is very knowledgeable and skilled doctor Also had my teeth cleaning wit Lina she is highly skilled and very considering Very happy with my visit

I had my cleaning done by Lina today and she did an amazing job! She was so gentle, thorough, and professional throughout the entire appointment. My teeth feel incredibly clean, fresh, and polished. She made the experience comfortable and pleasant, and you can really tell she cares about her work and her patients. Definitely one of the best cleanings I’ve had — highly recommend her!

I just had my dental care here, Lina was amazing! She took her time with the cleaning, she was very thorough and gave me helpful tips on how to further take good care of my teeth! ❤️ Thank you Lina!

Dr. Kazmi is an excellent dentist—very honest, knowledgeable, and professional. She takes the time to explain everything clearly and makes you feel comfortable throughout your visit. I highly recommend her!

Hands down the best dental office I’ve ever been to. Dr. Kazmi was knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to clearly explain everything about my dental care without making me feel rushed. It’s obvious they genuinely care about their patients’ comfort and long-term oral health. Lina, the hygienist, was equally wonderful. She was gentle, thorough, and made the cleaning process surprisingly comfortable. She also gave helpful tips for maintaining good oral hygiene at home, which I really appreciated. Overall, the entire experience was smooth and stress-free. I would definitely recommend, 10/10.

Had my check up and treatment with Dr Arij she is very knowledgeable and skilled doctor Also had my teeth cleaning wit Lina she is highly skilled and very considering Very happy with my visit

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Call 365-816-2756

Dental Time

5327 Upper Middle Rd unit 11, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7L 0E9

365-816-2756

info@itsdentaltime.ca

Monday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am - 2:00pm By Appointment
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11:00pm - 7:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 3:00pm Alternating
Sunday: Closed

Dental Time 5327 Upper Middle Rd unit 11,
Burlington, ON, Canada,
L7L 0E9

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