TMJ Treatment

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area on the skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in its where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result.

Problems in this area can cause:

Headaches

Earaches

Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth

Clicking or popping of the jaw

Pain in the jaw muscles

Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.

At North Country Dental Care we’ve helped so many patients with TMJ treatments from all over Long Island, from areas like St James, Nesconset, Lake Grove, Smithtown, Centereach, Lake Ronkonkoma, Hauppauge, Stony Brook, Setauket, Kings Park, Selden, Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, and so many other areas in Suffolk & Nassau Counties.