Overcoming TMJ Pain with a Simple Yet Effective Treatment

Have you been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)? You’ve come to the right place. Kingsgate Dental offers several solutions to overcome TMJ disorder. Dr. Ann Kelley and the team have helped many patients in Kirkland, Washington, find relief for headaches, jaw pain, and other TMJ-related symptoms using customized nightguards and other treatments.

What is TMJ dysfunction?

You have two hinge-like joints (TMJs) on each side of the face that connect the lower jaw to the temporal bone. Both joints and their attached muscles, ligaments, and tendons work harmoniously to allow you to move your mouth up, down, and sideways when yawning, talking, and eating. 

Unfortunately, your TMJs can be compromised by overuse, injuries, and infections, resulting in all manner of unpleasant symptoms. When your TMJs malfunction, the condition is referred to as TMJ disorder and often causes symptoms like:

• Headaches and migraines
• Jaw pain
• Locked jaws
• Painful chewing and grinding
• Popping sounds when using your jaw
• Pain in the face, ears, and upper back
• Ringing sounds in the ears (tinnitus)

TMD is commonly misdiagnosed as hormonal changes, fibromyalgia, or tinnitus, often leading to dealing with symptoms rather than the root cause of the pain. As a result of mis- or undiagnosed TMD cases, many patients continue suffering in pain while others have been relegated to a life of depending on pain medications. Dr. Kelley understands your struggles, and she’s here to walk with you until you recover fully. 

Treating TMJ pain with oral appliance therapy (OAT) 

Dr. Kelley recommends a customized nightguard to treat TMJ disorder. This custom-designed device fits comfortably in your mouth to minimize pressure on the jaw joints and muscles. Moreover, a TMD mouthguard trains your jaws to relax, taking off the pressure from the jaw muscles and surrounding tissues. Continued use of a TMJ nightguard reduces headaches, jaw pain, and other TMJ-related symptoms. 

The dentist can use other treatments to complement OAT. Depending on the cause of your TMJ, Dr. Kelley may also recommend orthodontics, jaw exercises, stress management techniques, and anti-inflammatory medications. Since treating TMD can be complicated, our dental team will work with other medical doctors and specialists to guide you to a path of recovery.

TMJ pain relief for a painless lifestyle

At Kingsgate Dental in Kirkland, WA, we offer simple yet effective TMD treatments to ensure you live a pain-free life. Please call (425) 385-0080 to schedule your appointment today.

Ann Kelley, DDS

Dr. Ann Kelley is a graduate of the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska. She highly values the comfort of her patients, and places the needs of the patient above her convenience. Her dental clinic is built to bring the best and most comfortable dental experience to all her patients. She builds relationships with her patients based on trust and always acts to safeguard this trust.