Jaw Pain Treatment in Langley
Care for TMJ, Teeth Grinding, and Jaw Discomfort
Understanding Jaw Pain and TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint, or TMJ, is the joint of the jaw. There are two TMJs, one on each side of the jaw, and they work together to open and close our mouths so we can chew and speak. A TMJ disorder, also called TMD, is a chronic condition that can take years to develop and may affect your comfort, jaw function, and quality of life.
This type of temporomandibular joint disorder can contribute to discomfort and reduced jaw function over time. When your jaw is misaligned, it can cause headaches, neck or shoulder pain, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, locked jaw, jaw pain, teeth grinding, tinnitus, and tingling fingers. Many patients seek jaw pain treatment in Langley to help manage these symptoms and improve daily comfort.
Teeth Grinding
Many patients grind or clench their teeth, a habit known as bruxism. Frequent grinding can damage teeth, cause jaw tenderness, and contribute to oral health concerns. It may be linked to stress, anxiety, an abnormal bite, missing teeth, crooked teeth, or sleep apnea. Because grinding often happens during sleep, symptoms such as headaches, sore jaw, or worn teeth may be the first signs. Patients experiencing jaw pain and teeth grinding may benefit from early assessment and bruxism treatment before the condition worsens. If left untreated, grinding can lead to cracked teeth, worn restorations, or tooth loss. A night guard for teeth grinding or custom mouth guard for grinding can help protect your teeth while you sleep.
Clicking or Locked Jaw
Your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull and helps you speak, chew, and yawn. If your jaw clicks, locks, or feels painful, you may be experiencing a temporomandibular joint disorder. When the joint is inflamed or injured, it can affect jaw movement and make it difficult to open your mouth. Patients with jaw clicking and pain, or those needing clicking jaw treatment or locked jaw treatment, should seek a dental evaluation. Some cases improve with lifestyle changes, softer foods, stress reduction, anti-inflammatory medication, or a night guard. More severe cases may require TMJ dysfunction treatment from a dental professional.
Treatment for Jaw Pain
When you visit Maple Dental Clinic, we assess your teeth, bite, and mouth for visible signs of wear or damage. If there is a concern, we use different methods to understand why the issue is happening and to create a customized treatment plan for you. Some of the methods we may use to assess a bite issue include a complete oral exam, panoramic X-rays, a model of your mouth using our 3D scanner, and high-definition photos. These tools help us better understand your jaw function and recommend the most appropriate TMJ treatment in Langley, jaw pain treatment, and bite correction treatment for your needs.
Depending on your situation, there are generally two ways to help correct TMJ dysfunction treatment concerns. One option is to use braces or other orthodontic appliances to correct the position and development of your jaw through orthodontic treatment for TMJ. Another option is to establish a physiologic bite position using an appliance for two to three weeks, then use crowns to restore your teeth to a healthier position through bite correction treatment and customized restorative care. It is best to treat TMD as early as possible to help prevent future oral health issues and reduce the need for more extensive chronic jaw pain treatment later on.
