Frequent headaches can be an undiagnosed sign of teeth grinding, often the result of an underlying bite disorder. Longmeadow dentists Dr. Evans and Dr. Ziemba have extensive training and experience in both diagnosing and treating temporomandibular disorders, commonly referred to as TMJ.
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can have a variety of causes and be the result of stress on the joint due to muscle tension or an imbalance in the bite. Comprehensive diagnosis is the key to treatment that will not only alleviate your symptoms, but improve your dental health for the long term.
In addition to recurring headaches, there are other common symptoms of TMJ or a bite problem:
- Facial pain (often in the temporal region or sides of face)
- Pain in the neck and/or older shoulders
- Migraine, or migraine like headaches, especially in the morning
- Earache or feeling of fullness in the ears
Treating TMJ Headaches
Treatment for TMJ headaches is dependent on the underlying cause and can range from the simple to the complex. Dr. Evans and Dr. Ziemba will work with you to both address your pain and any dental problems for lasting oral health.
-
- Mouth guard/ Splint: a custom fit oral appliance may be all that is necessary to properly position your jaw, relieve pressure and/or stop teeth grinding for relief of headaches and other painful symptoms.
- Bite correction: if your bite is uneven or your teeth are not contacting properly and contributing to your TMJ disorder, we may recommend treatments to realign or adjust the teeth: dental crowns, bonding, veneers and orthodontics are all possible options.