Showing posts with label Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder

Latest Dental News: Jaw Problems & Headaches

“All this stress – it’s giving me a headache!” How many times have you heard someone say something similar, or even said such a thing yourself? It’s a common sentiment, and it’s based in reality. Stress can manifest itself in all sorts of physical symptoms.

Work, money, relationships, and just life in general can all cause stress. And stress can cause headaches, joint pain, eyestrain and other problems. But experts suggest that, often times, headaches are not caused by stress. Rather, the headaches are caused by a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. It’s this condition – referred to as TMJ – which is actually causing the headaches, joint pain and other supposed stress-related conditions. It’s a vicious circle – the TMJ creates the headaches, persistent headaches lead to stress, and the stress then further intensifies the headaches.

“TMJ can cause an unending cycle of pain and stress for the sufferer,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a Reedley, California neuromuscular dentist. “By going to a neuromuscular dentist to treat the symptoms of your TMJ, you can alleviate the pain and stress it may be causing.”

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: What is it?
Some estimates place TMJ as the third most common health problem in the United States today, yet not many people have actually heard about it. The problem with TMJ is that it is hard to diagnose, and has a myriad of symptoms. Some of the most common ones include headaches, toothaches, blurred vision, tingling in the arms, neck pain, and a clicking sound in the jaw.

So what is TMJ? TMJ is a disorder that arises when the jaw is improperly aligned, and it can cause many different painful symptoms. It can be a genetic condition, or the result of an accident. Regardless, when your jawbones and muscles are “out of whack,” problems can occur throughout your body.

So why, if TMJ is so common, is it so commonly misdiagnosed? The answer is surprising. The experts in TMJ aren’t typically doctors. Rather, the experts are neuromuscular dentists.

Neuromuscular Dentists Know TMJ
Neuromuscular dentists have additional, post-dental-school training at neuromuscular dentistry schools. Aside from learning about veneers, bleaching, and other traditional dental procedures, neuromuscular dentists also learn how to prevent these procedures from affecting the temporomandibular joint, as well as diagnose and treat TMJ and other structural disorders of the neck and jaw.

Diagnosing TMJ requires both expertise and special equipment. A computer model is made of your jaw and bite pattern, which allows your dentist to see exactly what’s wrong. Treatment for TMJ depends on the severity and extent of the individual’s condition. It could involve something as extensive as surgery, or something as simple as custom-made mouth apparatus. Typically, most cases are treated – at least partially – by the TENS system, which uses electrical pulses to eliminate the TMJ pain.

Say Goodbye to Stress
If you suffer from persistent headaches, you owe it to yourself to visit with a neuromuscular dentist. You might be suffering from TMJ. If so, you deserve treatment – treatment for TMJ will relieve the symptoms, and the subsequent stress that is often associated with chronic pain.

Diagnosing and treating TMJ is usually simple – if you know where to look! Often, that means scheduling an appointment with a neuromuscular dentist. They’re the TMJ experts! So if you suffer from unexplained headaches, jaw pain and the like, just remember: it might not be stress, it might be TMJ.

Source: Stress; the cause of TMJ?

Previous Posts:
Advantages of Teeth Inlays, Onlays & Teeth Fillings
Invisalign Teeth Braces: Invisible Way for Teeth Straightening
Optician in Wakefield Cosmetic Dentistry
Reality & Myths about Cosmetic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
Poularity & Facts About Cosmetic Surgery & Plastic Surgery

Monday, December 7, 2009

Jaw Pain, Headache & Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Treatments


http://www.feel-younger.co.uk/


Latest Dental News: New York clinic develops new technique to treat bruxing

Millions of Americans suffer from headaches, shoulder and neck pain, and ringing in the ears without even knowing they may be suffering from a disorder of the jaw. These people often live with the pain and discomfort thinking that stress is the cause, relief is often sought through painkillers and heating pads. However, these symptoms may be the result of a medical condition called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD.

While over the counter medication can temporarily alleviate some of the pain associated with TMD, the symptoms usually recur and can progress to debilitating proportions that alter quality of life. Blurred vision, back pain, anxiety, and insomnia can negatively affect the life of someone suffering from TMD. However, there is sound treatment available that not only alleviates the symptoms but corrects the root cause.

Often, when people seek help from their primary care doctor for these symptoms and a host of others associated with TMD, their primary care physician is unable to determine the problem. That’s because only a trained neuromuscular dentist can accurately diagnosis and treat TMD. As a result, patients often hear from their PCP that the problem is stress related.

Now is the time to seek appropriate help for TMD. No one has to continually suffer the painful symptoms of this chronic, degenerative disease when advanced treatment is available. The first step is a thorough examination to properly determine if you have TMD.

State-of-the-Art Treatment Options

Your dentist may need to take X-rays to determine your jaw’s alignment. A sonogram may also be required to determine other malfunctions such as popping and clicking sounds. State-of-the-art computer technology is used to determine how your jaw functions in various positions. These include resting, opening and closing, and a variety of other movements the jaw undergoes such as talking or yawning. Once jaw tracking is complete, your dentist then determines the optimal position for your jaw, and works with you on developing the best options for treatment.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your dentist will prescribe a plan of action that works best for you. There are many options available to correct TMD once it’s been properly diagnosed. Orthodontics specializes in the treatment of misaligned bites. Invisalign is a new treatment that straightens teeth by using clear plastic molds. This invisible option eliminates the need for unattractive metallic braces. Oral surgery may also be necessary.

Source: Headaches and jaw pain? You may have TMD

Previous Posts:
All About Endodontics & Tooth Discoloration
Facts & Difference Between Colored Dental Fillings & Silver Fillings
Solve Teeth Problems With Latest & Advanced Porcelain Veneers
Get Rid of Jaw Problems & Headaches Through Latest & Advanced Dental Treatments

 

News on UK Dentistry Service, UK Dental Treatments | All About Dental Treatments