TMJ Pain Care Calgary

TMJ Pain Care

tmj pain treatment in calgary

What is TMJ?

Put your index fingers underneath your ears, where your jaw bones go down. THAT is where your TMJ Joints (Temporomandibular Joints) are located.

The slightest imbalance in the way your teeth bite and function (also known as occlusion) can result in inflammation or disturbance of these TMJ Joints, which can cause severe headaches, migraines, dizziness, nausea, jaw pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, ear pain, facial pain, sinus pain, skull base pain, and more. It can also contribute to poor body posture, decreased strength or limited flexibility.

A misaligned bite can even cause a compromised breathing airway that may result in sleep disturbance issues like snoring and sleep apnea.

Yes, seemingly innocent causes (like worn teeth or snoring), can have major consequences and trigger multiple pain symptoms that can disrupt your daily functioning, work, relationships, and even your entire life.

You might have Googled: “What is TMJ?” because you experience any of these TMJ pain symptoms. You’ve come to the right place, because Dr. Westersund at Dentalife provides TMJ Treatment solutions that could help you to get rid of your TMJ pain.

Explore our website to obtain more information about your TMJ Symptoms. And when you’re comfortable enough with “What it is, How it works, and How to go about it”, you might decide to schedule a TMJ Diagnosis Appointment below.

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TMJ Pain Care and Treatment, Calgary

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Is this you, suffering from a TMJ Disorder? Don't live like that. Do something.

tmj pain care calgary

When you are seriously in pain, please seek help. Living in pain, is not living at all.

We are aware that people can feel desperate because they consulted their family doctor and a regular dentist frequently, but they weren’t able to provide any relief, other than the medication prescribed. We understand that you need relief options ASAP because living in pain isn’t an option for anyone.

There are no dental specialists in “TMJ”, but some dentists focus on TMJ care in their clinics. Most people suffering from TMJ disorders are disappointed because the options provided are the typical ‘one size fits all’ solutions. They also consulted specialists, chiropractors and physiotherapists but none of them were able to ease their pain. They are tired of repeating the same thing which takes valuable time and often lots of money as well. Please realize, a TMJ disorder is a complicated problem and “just trying a couple of things” will usually not get you anywhere.

This is what we hear a lot:

 

Pain

  • My jaw is hurting
  • I have a click in my jaw
  • My neck and head are hurting
  • My life is a mess
  • I have to get out of this

 

Cause

  • I was in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and now I hurt all over, especially my head.
  • Do you deal with MVA patients?
  • I have always had TMJ problems. How can anyone help now?
  • I have missing teeth and my bite has been completely off for years.
  • I’m grinding my teeth a lot. Stress? Yes, quite a bit.

 

Time

  • How soon can I get in to be seen?
  • Will pain relief be instant?
  • How long is this treatment going to take?

 

Cost

  • Will my insurance pay for this?
  • Do you provide dental financing?
  • Money is tight right now. I want a say in what kind of treatment is going to be done.

 

At any rate, please do something. TMJ Disorders usually get worse over time when not addressed, so don’t count on any miracles to see improvement.

 

SCHEDULE A TMJ DIAGNOSIS APPOINTMENT

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TMJ Disorder Calgary

TMJ Disorder FAQ's

Is TMJ dangerous?

TMJ problems can vary from minor problems to major, debilitating pain and loss of jaw and neck function. Everyone is unique so that their experience will vary. TMJ problems can happen in young people to seniors.

 

Should I be worried about TMJ?

TMJ is often a progressive problem. Over time there can be an increase in pain and a decrease in function of the head, neck, jaws and teeth. Many of these problems require intervention from several healthcare providers.

 

Is TMJ medical?

TMJ affects many areas of the whole body. Since the way the TMJ functions has much to do with Dentists, they are usually the first to see or treat TMJ problems. But other healthcare providers help with TMJ signs and symptoms throughout the body.

 

Is TMJ reversible?

TMJ problems are usually long standing problems and not reversible. Treatments for TMJ can either be to help a person “manage” TMJ pain or help decrease the “strain” to the body that causes TMJ pain. Many TMJ treatments are not intended to be reversible.

 

Is there a “Quick Fix” to TMJ pain?

Medication may provide “palliative care” for immediate pain management. However a “Quick Fix” is probably not possible for a longer term solution. TMJ problems are very diverse and vary from person to person. Merely managing pain may not provide long term health.

 

What are the main causes of TMJ?

TMJ problems often start during childhood growth and they are often associated with breathing and tongue posture in childhood. Mouth Breathing, either partial or constant, can lead to changes in the growth of the face, the jaws, and the TMJ.

This can set up strain within the head and neck that can lead to TMJ pain and problems. TMJ problems can also be increased with trauma, accidents, and some bite treatments.

 

Is TMJ treatment guaranteed?

No medical or dental treatment can be guaranteed. Every patient has a different expression of TMJ pain and problems. This means that every patient can have different goals in TMJ treatments, different outcomes from those treatments, and different journeys with respect to TMJ problems.

 

Do TMJ treatments require surgery?

The vast majority of TMJ treatments do not involve surgery. However, in some cases, TMJ surgery can be required. Statistically that is a very small number of TMJ pain patients.

 

Does TMJ pain go away on its own?

The pain from a TMJ problem may come and go, but the overall TMJ problem will still remain. Pain is a poor diagnostic tool.

Example: You if have cancer and no pain, would you treat it? Of course you would. If you have a severely blocked partially blocked coronary artery and no pain, would you wait for a heart attack to happen? The fact you have no pain does not mean the problem is not there or has gone away.
Seek a proper TMJ diagnosis from an appropriate healthcare provider to assess your TMJ status.

 

How do I get my TMJ to stop clicking?

A: Jaw clicking is a sign of a TMJ problem. Clicking can go away, but only if there is enough damage to the soft tissue around the TMJ to make it no longer work properly. Some clicking is an indication of a TMJ capsule tear. Some clicking is an indication that the TMJ capsule is being damaged over time.

Many TMJ clicks can be treated with a variety of dental appliances, some orthodontic care, some restorative care, or a combination of these treatments. Some TMJ clicking can be treated with appropriate care to head/neck alignment.

TMJ clicking may lead to a TMJ locking open or closed and may cause extreme pain.

 

What is TMJ clicking a sign of?

TMJ clicking is a sound that comes from TMJ soft tissue, called the TMJ Capsule, moving fast in a forward or backward motion. Often the click is when you just begin to open or when you just about close your teeth together. This type of click indicates a dislocation of the jaw joint followed by a reduction of the joint (going back into its proper place).

Jaw clicking only when you open wide is caused by a laxity of the ligament or a shape of the skull that allows excess motion of the TMJ.

 

Should I be worried about my clicking TMJ?

TMJ clicking is usually a sign that something is not working correctly. A jaw joint that clicks will usually have excess wear and tear on the jaw joint and the tissue that supports it. Leaving the click alone may cause enough damage that the jaw locks closed or open.

The click may be loud and interfere with eating or talking. The best advice is have it checked by a qualified healthcare professional.

 

Is TMJ hereditary?

Well, yes and no. TMJ’s do not grow, they are grown. This means that the shape function and health of the TMJ is determined by what conditions are present during growth and use.

Genetic factors like allergies leading to mouth breathing, facial form, connective tissue issues, certain responses to healing, can make a difference. But most TMJ problems are determined by early issues that affect nasal breathing and tongue posture.