TMJ Treatment
TMJ Treatment
More than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from pain associated with temporomandibular joints (TMJ).
These are the two joints that connect the jaw bone, or mandible, to the skull. Pain in and around the TMJs may indicate any of several disorders with the joint structure, which includes a complex arrangement of muscles and ligaments.
Common symptoms of TMJ disorders include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, and even chronic headaches and neck aches.
Dr. Vu can help identify the source of your pain with a thorough exam and appropriate x-rays. He may find that the pain is related to your sinuses, a toothache, or an early stage of periodontal disease. But if those causes can be ruled out and the TMJ is the source of discomfort, he will recommend treatment that may include stress-reducing exercises, muscle relaxants, or wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding.