Seeing a Complete Health Dentist for TMJ Los Angeles, CA
Patients looking for TMJ treatment should consider complete health dentistry, as it focuses on how the patient's overall health may affect and be affected by their condition. At best, TMJ is an annoyance. At worst, it is excruciatingly inescapable. A TMJ dentist knows how to address the root cause of this condition rather than just temporarily alleviating its symptoms.
Primary care dental is available at Vatan Dental Group in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. A complete health dentist can help reduce your TMJ woes while improving your overall health. Call us today at (310) 906-1300 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Benefits of Complete Health Dentistry
Selecting a complete health dentist to treat TMJ disorders is important because TMJ is associated with many other health conditions. Complete or total health dentistry offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to dental care as it considers how oral health affects a person's overall health. Oral hygiene influences digestive health, immune health, metabolism, mental health, and more.
Total health dentistry offers a strategy for preventative health. Complete health dentists are trained to recognize signs linked to other systemic conditions—before they get worse. Rather than treating isolated symptoms, complete health dentists identify the root causes and seek appropriate interventions that benefit a person's overall health.
“Complete health dentists are trained to recognize signs linked to other systemic conditions—before they get worse.”
Understanding TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorders (also known as TMJ, TMJ disorders, TMJD, or TMD) occur when an individual's temporomandibular joint sustains damage or is otherwise malfunctions. Ideally, this joint should function like a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. There is one temporomandibular joint on each side of the jaw. Individuals affected by TMJ experience pain in the jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement.
It can be challenging to determine the exact cause of a patient's TMJ disorder, especially since there may be several different factors at play. These include but are not limited to arthritis, genetics, and jaw injury. Those with jaw pain are also likely to have bruxism, a condition in which one clenches or grinds their teeth. However, not everyone with bruxism has TMJ (or vice versa).
“Individuals affected by TMJ experience pain in the jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement.”
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ
TMJ disorders are often associated with severe pain that affects one joint or both joints (remember, the jawbone has two joints connecting to the skull on either side of the face). TMJ more commonly affects women and usually presents in adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. TMJ symptoms often overlap with other conditions but typically include:
- Feeling “tired” in the face
- Jaw locking in an open- or closed-mouth position
- Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Pain or tenderness around the ear (near the joint) when chewing or speaking
- Problems opening the mouth wide or chewing
- Swelling on the side of the face
Diagnosing TMJ usually requires a physical exam and the evaluation of a person's medical history to identify conditions potentially contributing to one's symptoms. A complete health dentist will examine the jaw, bite, and facial muscles, testing them for functionality, and may order full-face X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to understand the severity of TMJ disorders.
“TMJ symptoms often overlap with other conditions.”
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TMJ and Complete Health
TMJ is associated with several other health issues, including but not limited to, orofacial manifestations, scoliosis, and periodontal disease. Orofacial manifestations of TMJ include painful chewing, maximal mouth opening, and TMJ morning stiffness. At least one study has also shown that scoliosis could contribute to the restricted range of motion associated with TMJ disorders by causing a muscular imbalance. Additionally, any unilateral chewing associated with chronic periodontitis may also cause structural changes in the temporomandibular joint and worsen any secondary symptoms. Thus, treating any of these conditions has the potential to treat all others.
As complete health dentists are dedicated to a patient's total wellness, they are well-aware of such issues and can identify and treat them accordingly. No condition exists in isolation; instead, they are all inextricably linked. With patients' permission, complete health dentists can forward any relevant information to all pertinent healthcare providers to devise a comprehensive, custom-made treatment plan tailor-made to best meet their needs and improve their overall health.
“TMJ is associated with several other health issues, including but not limited to orofacial manifestations, scoliosis, and periodontal disease.”
Questions Answered on This Page
People Also Ask
Q. Why is preventative care important? How can it save you money?
Q. Why is it important to find the right general dentist?
Q. What common disorders are treated by a TMJ dentist?
Q. What family members may need extra help with their oral hygiene?
Treating TMJ
TMJ symptoms sometimes go away without treatment. However, if symptoms persist, patients may need to seek medical treatment. A complete health dentist can identify the symptoms' root cause and devise a customized treatment plan tailor-made for the patient's unique and individual needs. If over-the-counter pain medication does not relieve a patient's discomfort, a dentist may prescribe more potent pain relievers and anti-inflammatories on an as-needed basis.
Oral appliances, such as splints or mouth guards, may also help, as those with jaw pain often benefit from wearing a soft or firm device over their teeth. Certain jaw exercises may assist in stretching and strengthening the jaw muscles. Physical therapy for jaw pain may include ultrasound, moist heat, and ice. Surgery may be necessary if these treatments are insufficient. Such procedures include arthrocentesis, TMJ arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, and open-joint surgery. Some patients also benefit from corticosteroid injections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is total health dentistry?
A. Total health dentistry is a more comprehensive approach to primary care dental services. A total health dentist has a deeper understanding of the oral-systemic link. Total or complete health dentistry considers a person's overall health and how it influences oral health and vice versa.
Q. What is TMJ?
A. TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint disorders (also called TMD or TMJD). TMJ disorders get characterized by jaw pain or dysfunction affecting the joints where your jawbone connects to your skull. TMJ may be due to stress, degenerative conditions, or injury to your jaw.
Signs of TMJ include:
Q. What health conditions get associated with TMJ?
A. TMJ disorders are commonly associated with other health conditions, including arthritis, scoliosis, and periodontal disease. Many patients report being especially sensitive to pain. For this reason, some experts believe TMJ may also be related to sensory nervous system disorders.
Q. How do you treat TMJ?
A. Since TMJ disorders are often related to other health problems, a complete health dentist or TMJ dentist needs to diagnose TMJ and evaluate any underlying conditions. Effectively treating TMJ usually requires also treating the underlying health issue. Treatments include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy approaches to relieving pain and strengthening jaw muscles. Oral appliances may correct TMJ, and in severe cases, surgery may be indicated.
Q. What can someone do at home to improve their TMJ symptoms?
A. There are steps a person can take on their own to help lessen the symptoms of TMJ. These include sticking to soft foods, taking notice of bad habits such as teeth grinding, and properly exercising the jaw. Your complete health dentist can recommend the appropriate jaw exercises to help you relieve your TMJ symptoms.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
When choosing a primary dental care provider, you want to make sure that they can cover all the bases — including treating your TMJ. Our complete health dentist at Vatan Dental Group may be able to help. Call us today at 310-906-1300 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
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