Jaw Discomfort & TMJ
Understand the complexities of jaw-related issues and their impact on your daily life. Our expert team, led by Dr. Elisa Mello and Dr. Ramin Tabib, is dedicated to diagnosing and treating the root causes of jaw discomfort and TMJ disorders. With a focus on personalized care and advanced treatment options, we strive to alleviate your symptoms and restore your comfort, allowing you to enjoy a healthier, pain-free lifestyle.
TMJ vs. TMD
TMJ stands for our left and right temporomandibular (jaw) joints. The acronym TMJ is very often incorrectly used to describe a disorder of these joints. However, the correct acronym for the disorder is TMD, meaning temporomandibular disorders and when we include the many symptoms of head, neck, facial, and jaw pain it is recognized as “craniomandibular disorders.”
Long-term studies suggest that the following symptoms of TMD are linked to the incorrect alignment of the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandibular) jaws and changes in the integrity of the TMJ which may result from various factors, including jaw injury, arthritis, excessive gum chewing, or teeth grinding (bruxism). This produces physiologic stress, pain, and dysfunction in the joints, supporting ligaments, and associated muscles.
TMJ Symptoms
TMJ disorders may cause a variety of uncomfortable, even painful symptoms, such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness facial, neck, or back, pain
- Pain or soreness of the jaw joints clicking, popping, or grating sounds as jaw joints are in motion
- Congestion or stuffiness of the ears
- Numbness of the arms and fingers, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Pain in teeth that seems to move around
- Loose teeth
- Ear pain
- Ear ringing/ buzzing sounds in the ear
- Loss of auditory acuity
- Limitations of motion of jaw joins
- Jaw locking upon opening or closing
- Tired face/jaw
- Snoring
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tingling fingers/hand numbness
Left untreated, the problems progress, getting worse over time and the stress and tension it produces can cause everything from mild discomfort to severe chronic pain throughout the body. They may also lead to changes in the posture which can, in turn, impact digestive function and cause chronic low-back pain.
TMD/Craniomandibular disorders can also exacerbate:
- Fibromyalgia
- Tinnitus
- Migraine
TMJ Treatment
TMJ treatment restores a harmonious relationship between your bite and the surrounding muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, thereby alleviating problematic symptoms and pain.
Depending on the cause of your condition, treating TMJ disorders may require:
Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Fixed Orthotic Devices
Occlusal Protective Guards/Anterior Deprogrammers
Muscle Relaxants
Our TMJ Patients' Stories
At NYC Smile Design, we are proud to share the compelling stories of our TMJ patients, whose lives have been dramatically improved through our dedicated treatment programs. Each story is a testament to the resilience and courage of individuals who once faced daily challenges with jaw pain, clicking, and discomfort but found relief and a renewed quality of life after visiting our clinic. These personal accounts underscore the effectiveness of our customized approaches and the profound impact they can have, offering new patients both hope and proof that suffering from TMJ disorders can become a thing of the past:Addressing Your TMJ Disorder
At NYC Smile Design, understanding and effectively treating jaw discomfort and TMJ disorders is a priority. Dr. Elisa Mello and Dr. Ramin Tabib are trained to diagnose these conditions using state-of-the-art technology and provide personalized treatments tailored to the specific needs of each patient to restore comfort and function to your jaw.
Expand Your Knowledge
The NYC Smile Design Learning Center page is your go-to resource for comprehensive and insightful information on cosmetic dentistry, offering expert guidance from Dr. Elisa Mello and Dr. Ramin Tabib to help you understand the wide array of dental treatments available, ensuring you make informed decisions for your smile makeover journey.
