TMJ & TMD Specialist

Fairfax Corner Dental Our Services TMJ & TMD

Fairfax Corner Dental

Dentists located in Fairfax, VA

The structures in your jaw are involved in all kinds of functions, including biting, talking, yawning, swallowing, and breathing. If your jaw becomes overworked and starts hurting, Dr. Chang Yi and Dr. Negar Tehrani offer techniques to reduce TMJ pain. Special oral appliances, stretches, and massage techniques can help you relax your jaw. If you’re looking for an experienced dentist in Fairfax, Virginia to help with TMJ, contact Fairfax Corner Dental by calling the office or clicking the “book now” option.

TMJ & TMD Q & A

What are TMJ and TMD?

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the sliding hinge joint that connects your lower jawbone to your skull and allows you to open and close your mouth. TMJ disorder is a type of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and causes symptoms such as:

  • Pain at the jaw joint
  • Radiating pain in the ear, face, and surrounding muscles
  • Headaches
  • Locking or clicking in the jaw joint
  • Difficulty chewing, talking, and yawning

What causes TMJ disorder?

TMJ pain is often the result of clenching and grinding your teeth, but the exact cause of TMJ disorder is often difficult to pinpoint.

The risk factors for developing TMJ disorder include:

  • Genetics
  • Injury
  • Anatomical structure and alignment
  • Health conditions such as arthritis
  • Slipped cervical disc

What can I do to prevent TMJ pain?

If grinding and clenching your teeth contribute to your TMJ pain, try to relax your jaw whenever you notice yourself doing it. You may also want to avoid chewing gum and hard foods to give your jaw a break.

Hot and cold therapy and over-the-counter pain medication may provide temporary relief during painful episodes of TMJ flare-ups.

Ask your dentist at Fairfax Corner Dental how to massage and stretch out the muscles in your face and neck to relieve TMJ pain. You can also see a doctor, physical therapist, or orthopedic specialist for specialized TMD self-care techniques and exercises.

Your dentist can also supply you with an oral appliance to use at home and address any dental issues that may contribute to TMD.

How can a dentist help with TMJ disorder?

Your dentist at Fairfax Corner Dental performs a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder. If they find any tooth or jaw misalignment issues that could be causing your pain, your dentist can address them with orthodontic options.

The specialists at Fairfax Corner Dental can also fit you for a mouthguard or bite guards. These appliances help prevent grinding and clenching, particularly during sleep.

If you experience jaw pain, contact the experts at Fairfax Corner Dental online or over the phone for an evaluation.

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