Enjoy a More Comfortable Smile with TMJ Therapy
Your oral health is made up of a complex system of moving parts, and the temporomandibular joint (more simply known as the TMJ) is an essential component. It actually connects your lower jaw to the skull and facilitates movement there; without it, you wouldn’t be able to chew food, speak, or perform other similar actions. Unfortunately, this big responsibility means that strain or injury can throw the system’s harmony completely off-balance, resulting in serious discomfort for the patient.
If you’re experiencing constant aches in your jaw or face, consider visiting Sage Family Dentistry for a consultation. Dr. Sage can diagnose your condition and provide effective therapy in order to help your smile regain its smooth, pain-free function. Our practice is open to patients from all the Northgate • Seattle, WA area!
Diagnosis & Treatment
TMJ disorder is a complex condition, and one that may develop over time from several different sources. Patients can experience it because they’re a habitual teeth grinder, their bite is significantly misaligned, or they’ve had a serious facial injury in the recent past. While no two cases will manifest in exactly the same way, some symptoms are consistent:
- Constant discomfort and/or outright pain in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders
- Constant clicking and popping in the jaw
- Difficulty with opening your mouth fully and/or chewing food without discomfort
- Chronic earaches
- A regularly locking jaw
Dr. Sage will perform a very thorough evaluation of the teeth, the jaw, the bite, the TMJ joint itself, and more in order to precisely evaluate your condition. Once we understand the probable source and the severity of your TMJ disorder, we can start planning an effective plan of action for therapy.
Occlusal Adjustments
If a misaligned bite is straining your TMJ joint, occlusal adjustment may be the best way to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. Our team will review the main points of contact between teeth and determine where the biting force may be problematically uneven. By adjusting certain teeth and distributing pressure in a much healthier way, we can reduce the workload of certain facial muscles and give you back your harmoniously working smile.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (206) 362-6677.