West Haven Ct Dentist Helps Migraine Headaches And Tmj Sufferers Get Out Of Pain

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders involve the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. Problems with this joint and the surrounding muscles can occur due to infection, arthritis, injury, or general wear and tear. There are many West Haven dentists which have specialized training in TMJ disorders.

TMJ disorders (TMD) cause a wide range of symptoms such as face tenderness, limited movement of the jaw, lock-jaw, clicking or popping in the jaw, and difficulty chewing. Additionally, other general symptoms can occur such as fatigue, tension headaches, and dizziness.

The difficulty in treating TMD is that it is hard to diagnose and often is mistaken for other diseases. Symptoms of TMD can mimic health conditions such as sinus or tension headaches and gum disease. The disorder is usually tricky to diagnose because the symptoms vary wildly from one patient to the next.

Because of this ambiguity, patients undergo a variety of tests to determine if TMD is the cause of their health issues. A physical examination and history analysis is completed and the doctors will often look at the jaw physiology and movement to determine the cause of the problems. Then, doctors will often use computerized diagnostic equipment, X-rays, and/or CT scans to make the TMD diagnosis.

Once the patient has been determined to be suffering from TMD, doctors make recommendations for treatment. Usually, a night guard which is custom fit for the patient is prescribed. This split helps prevent night grinding, which causes jaw pain and teeth shearing. Another common treatment is TENS, electrical neuromuscular stimulation, which stimulates the jaw muscles and helps ease pain and discomfort in that area.

Awareness is needed in TMD diagnosis so that patients can begin treatment on their symptoms. Relief from this disorder will not only result in less pain but will also improve sleep quality and general posture