Fix painful, disruptive TMJ symptoms at your Rochester Hills dentist’s office
If you suffer from migraines, dizziness, vision disturbances, ringing in the ears, and neck and back pain, chances are your Rochester Hills, John L. Aurelia, DDS, PLLC may not be the first medical professional you turn to for help. However, as unlikely as it may seem from the outset, you may experience relief from these troubling and disruptive symptoms at the dentist’s office.
The TMJ connection
The temperomandibular joints are located on each side of your head. These joints and jaw muscles are designed to work in harmony allowing you to open and close your mouth and for other functions; such as chewing, speaking, and swallowing.
Any problem with this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones can result in the symptoms mentioned above, as well as:
- Jaw locking
- Painful clicking
- Popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Facial pain
- Decreased mobility
While symptoms associated with temperomandibular joint-related disorders (TMD) are rarely indicative of a serious problem requiring surgical intervention, they can most certainly affect the quality of life. Jaw locking and stiffness can make eating uncomfortable. You may have difficulty falling asleep due to the pain. It can be tough to concentrate on work when there is radiating tenderness throughout the face and jaw.
There is no reason to live with discomfort, decreased productivity, and sleeplessness anymore when a single visit to John L. Aurelia, DDS, PLLC gets you on the road to appropriate treatment. Recommendations made by Dr. Aurelia address the root of TMD symptoms and may reduce or eliminate the need for pain medications that only relieve discomfort temporarily, but do nothing to treat the actual cause.
Dr. Aurelia is skilled in diagnosing TMD and related conditions. A thorough examination includes checking joints and muscles for tenderness, grating, popping, and stiffness. Furthermore, since many of these symptoms may be rooted in how the upper and lower teeth and jaw fit together, Dr. Aurelia has a level of insight into your dental habits and oral health history your family doctor does not have to best diagnose and treat your symptoms.
Depending on the specific cause of your TMD symptoms, Dr. Aurelia may recommend:
- Orthodontic appliances to correct poor bite, straighten teeth
- Slight repositioning, teeth reshaping to fix an uneven bite
- Oral appliances customized to fit your mouth
The last option, a custom-made mouthguard, is designed to decrease clenching and grinding linked to TMD. These dental appliances also have the added benefit of preventing further damage to the teeth which result in the need for restorative or tooth replacement options; such as dental crowns and implant-supported crowns.
Dr. Aurelia is also equipped to offer at-home care and lifestyle recommendations specific to your habits and unique to each patient’s needs, such as:
- Consume soft foods
- Avoid habits such as opening packages with your teeth
- Application of cold compresses or moist heat
- Relaxation techniques to manage tension in the jaw
- Stretching exercises to relax tight muscles
While there may be no one TMJ “fix”that works best for you and your unique situation, John L. Aurelia, DDS, PLLC offers many customized options for Rochester Hills patients to try. There is certain to be an approach that brings you relief so you can get back to living life without pain. Call (248) 243-6044 to schedule an evaluation.
