Downtown Calgary TMJ/TMD Therapy

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

Your Downtown Calgary Choice for TMD/TMJ Therapy!

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

If you suffer from the associated pain and discomfort of TMD, CORE Dental is here to help! We are pleased to offer TMJ/TMD Therapy options to help lessen your symptoms, protect your teeth from the physical wear and tear that frequently results, and help you achieve optimal oral health.

What is TMJ?

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects our lower jaw to your skull on both sides of your head. This ‘hinge’ is what allows your mouth to open and close, as well as your jaw to move from side to side. Most of the time the TMJ works well. However, sometimes problems can occur with the TMJ which can cause severe pain and affect your overall well-being.

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary
TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

What is TMD?

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorders, refer to problems associated with your jaw movement, and the pain in and around the jaw. For some people the TMJ becomes overstressed and overworked, which can lead to TMD. If your upper and lower teeth do not close together properly, your muscles could reposition the temporomandibular joints out of their sockets in order to bring your teeth together. This misalignment can often lead to TMD. A common condition of those who have a misaligned jaw is BRUXISM.

What is Bruxism?

TMJ/Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

Bruxism is characterized by the clenching or grinding of the teeth. It is a common form of TMD, and symptoms include neck, jaw, and face pain, severe or frequent headaches, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, and pain in and around your ear.

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary
TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

Common Symptoms of TMD

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary
  • Jaw pain or tenderness
  • Facial pain or tenderness
  • Pain or tenderness while eating
  • Popping, clicking, or a grinding sensation when you move your jaw
  • Earaches
  • Pain in and around your ears
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Severe or frequent headaches
  • Sleep disruptions
  • Difficulty opening or closing your mouth: Your jaw joint and surrounding muscles feel tender or stiff. It might be painful to open your mouth all the way. Your jaw may even lock when you open your mouth, preventing any motion at all
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold caused by the weakening of the tooth enamel resulting from the tooth grinding (bruxism)

Treatment for TMD

TMJ/Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

If you grind your teeth, it means you clench your jaw and move it in a way that the upper and lower teeth rub together. This can lead to premature wear and tear of the teeth, which can result in tooth loss if left untreated. Furthermore, the clenching and grinding can cause considerable pain and discomfort. While there is no single cure for TMD, there are many treatment options intended to help alleviate the pain and damage associated with it. A common and effective treatment option for TMD is a Night Guard. A night guard is a custom-made plastic device that fits over some or all of your teeth. It also acts to protect your teeth from the damage caused by the grinding. By providing a barrier of defense and re-establishing natural space between your upper and lower teeth, night guards can help reduce the risk of cracking or chipping a tooth; instead of wearing down your teeth from grinding, you bite against the night guard instead. Furthermore, because night guards reduce the risk of straining your jaw muscles, they can lessen the associated pain that often results. While nightguards help the teeth, we generally recommend a multi-facet approach and coordinating with a physiotherapist, massage therapist, or other health care providers may be the best option for you.

TMJ/Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary
TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary

Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard for Teeth Grinding:

TMJ/TMD Therapy | Core Dental | General & Family Dentist | Downtown Calgary
  • Decreases wear and tear on your natural teeth
  • Helps to stop damage to dentures, crowns, and other restorative work
  • Reduces the risk of chipped teeth and tooth loss
  • Decreases jaw pain, headaches, and other common symptoms of teeth grinding
  • Enjoy a better night sleep
  • Prevent damage to teeth that could otherwise lead to the need for mostly repair methods such as crowns, veneers, implants, bridges, extraction, and so on. It is far less painful and more cost effective to invest in a night guard.

CORE Dental is pleased to be able to help with the symptoms of TMD, including bruxism, and help you get back to your normal life. If you are experiencing jaw pain, accompanied by other symptoms of TMD, please do not hesitate to call us at (403) 265-5724 and we will be happy to help.

We look forward to hearing from you soon. Call Core Dental at (403) 265-5724 to set up a TMJ/TMD Therapy appointment today!

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