Neuromuscular Dentist - Joint Pains

Serving Fresno, Reedley and surrounding areas

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition in which your bite becomes misaligned, causing many serious painful health problems. Sometimes the acronym TMJ will be used interchangeably with TMD, but TMJ actually stands for temporomandibular joint. Neuromuscular dentistry differs from traditional dentistry in that neuromuscular dentists are trained in proper alignment of the jaw in relation to the muscles that control its function. Over 15% of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain related to the temporomandibular joint.

TMD Symptoms

Two of the most painful and debilitating symptoms of TMD are joint pain and severe headache, often described as a "migraine" headache. TMD has a profound effect on our overall well-being because the trigeminal nerve is one of the most complex and powerful nerves in the entire human body. This nerve is responsible for the temporomandibular joint and tooth functions and accounts for more than 40% of the brain's processing. The trigeminal nerve has three branches, all affecting various parts of the face, head, shoulders and arms. Because of the trigeminal nerve's far-reaching power, the pain and muscle tightness associated with TMD can even affect your hands and fingers.

Pain related to TMD may be sharp and searing or dull and constant. Pain is typically right over the joint immediately in front of the ear but can radiate elsewhere and cause spasms in the muscles attached to the bones of the skull, face and jaw. Some of the most notable symptoms of TMD besides joint pain and headache are:

• Tooth grinding (bruxism)
• Facial pain and soreness
• Neck soreness and pain
• Clicking and popping noises of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Uneven and excessive tooth wear
• Ear pain
• Stiff, tight or painful jaw muscles

Diagnosis and Treatment

A highly trained neuromuscular dentist such as Dr. Ikuta can identify the source of your joint pain with a thorough exam and appropriate x-rays. He will check your joints for clicking and popping noises or difficulty in moving those joints. To diagnose your TMD, Dr. Ikuta may need to make a "cast" of your teeth to see how your bite fits together.

The pain you are experiencing in your TMJ can be treated in a variety of ways including stress-reducing exercises, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication, and wearing mouth guards to prevent teeth clenching and grinding. Dr. Ikuta will recommend what treatment is best for your particular set of symptoms and diagnosis.

If you would like to learn more about joint pain related to TMD and what treatments may be available to alleviate your joint pain, please contact Drs. Dennis and Deric Ikuta, serving cosmetic dentistry patients in Fresno, Visalia, Reedley, Clovis and Hanford, California today to schedule your initial consultation.