TMJ Treatment – Shelburne, VT
Easing Jaw Pain with Customized Treatments
While the exact number of people with TMJ disorder isn’t known, it’s estimated that over 10 million Americans are affected by this condition. If you experience jaw pain, clicking and popping when you open and close your mouth, lockjaw, or other issues relating to your jaw joints and facial muscles, Dr. Maier may be able to help. At Shelburne Village Dentistry, we can restore your daily function and help you feel more comfortable with customized TMJ treatment in Shelburne.
Why Choose Shelburne Village Dentistry for TMJ Treatment?
- In-Network with Delta Dental
- Calm & Welcoming Dental Office
- Whole-Body Approach to Dental Care
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder, known as temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that impacts the function of the two jaw joints that attach your lower jaw to your skull. When constant grinding and clenching, stress, and bite problems lead to an imbalance in force and pressure sustained by your facial muscles and joints, it can lead to pain and a variety of other uncomfortable symptoms.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Here are some symptoms that could indicate that you have TMJ disorder:
- Lockjaw, making it difficult or impossible to open or close your mouth
- Pain while chewing
- Popping and clicking sounds when you open and close your mouth
- Facial pain or aches
- Jaw tenderness
- Aching pain in or around the ear
Types of TMJ Treatment
To determine what type of TMJ treatment would work best to address the underlying cause of your pain, Dr. Maier will first need to examine your mouth and jaw joints. Based on our team’s findings, we may recommend one of the following approaches to TMJ care.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments
Severely misshapen teeth or improperly fitted dental restorations can lead to the bite not coming together evenly. To address this, Dr. Maier can make small adjustments to the teeth to help even out the bite, reducing the amount of pressure or force on the jaw joints.
Occlusal Splints
Dr. Maier can craft a customized orthotic device, called an occlusal splint, that you can wear at night to shift the jaw into the ideal position, relieving stress from the joints. Over time, many patients notice a decrease in the severity of their TMJ symptoms, and some even stop experiencing their symptoms altogether with regular use of their splint.