Tag Archive for: temporo-mandibular joint

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Dental Occlusion

An occlusion is basically the noun form of the word “occlusal,” which we already know is a term describing your bite. An occlusion is the way your bite is uniquely designed, how your teeth come down on each other and fit into specific grooves to properly chew.

However, an occlusion does not merely describe how the teeth fit together because — what have we learned? — the chewing system involves the TMJ (temporo-mandibular joints… your jaw joints), jaw bones, muscles, ligaments, and all other soft tissues in your mouth. With the ideal occlusion, every one of these elements works with the others to create comfort, harmony, and efficiency in your chewing. If any of these elements is not functioning to its best potential, however, even the smallest hindrance can cause pain, injury, disease, and other problems. This is called a malocclusion and will be covered in tomorrow’s post.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

Benefits of Bioesthetic Dentistry

(Taken from my website:)

“Bioesthetic dentistry takes the remedial treatment of each tooth to the comprehensive treatment of the entire body. Our diagnosing methodologies show us why you have broken down or worn teeth. Then we provide the means to regain the length, shape and appearance of your teeth, before they became worn or broken down.

“Based on the natural biologic form, Bioesthetic Dentistry works by arranging the teeth to function together with the alignment of the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ). Recognized world-wide as the “non-surgical face lift”, bioesthetic dentistry affects the eyes, facial muscle posture and overall facial form. The final result is a naturally beautiful smile.

“If you have any of the common complaints listed below, Bioesthetic Dentistry may be what you need.

Migraines
Jaw popping
Worn or cracked teeth
Jaw pain
Unsightly smile
Limited opening of the mouth with restricted range of motion
Unable to chew food properly
Poor digestion
Gum disease with recession of the gums
Sensitive teeth
Tired-looking or -feeling jaw”

Dr. Boyajian, Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

TMJ Disorder & Treatment

Always be paying attention to signs and signals your body gives you. If you’re hungry, eat something nourishing. If you’re tired, get some rest. If you don’t feel well, try to cut out habits that might be detrimental to your health. Make time to take care of yourself.

This includes your dental health as well. If, for some reason, you are in good health but still experience headaches, neck aches, ear pain, jaw pain, jaw clicking/popping/crookedness, bruxing, stiffness or pain while chewing, or any other unexplained symptom in your jaw/neck area, talk to your dentist. You may have TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint…the joint in each side of your jaw) disorder. If your dentist cannot give you very much information, find a TMJ specialist and call him for an examination. TMJ can grow into a severely restricting, delicate problem and is best treated when in the early stages of development. You won’t have to keep swallowing painkillers if the source of the problem is fixed!

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

TMJ

TMJ disorder, or TMD (both acronyms for the temporo-mandibular joint….the joint in your jaw), is a common ailment that causes a wide range of symptoms from occasional ear pain or jaw clicking/popping, to major aches in the entire head, tooth wear from frequent bruxing (teeth-grinding), migraines, neck pain, and jaw crookedness or tiredness. I specialize in treating TMJ, so if you think TMJ has been a problem for you, contact me (or another TMJ specialist, if location is a problem). It’s important to find one who treats TMJ bioesthetically, aesthetically, and with the healthiest, most natural options available. Your TMJ disorder will grow worse over time if it’s not taken care of. Don’t wait any longer to prevent problems that are bound to happen!

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

TMJ and Gum Disease

How does TMJ relate to periodontal disease (gum disease)? TMJ actually never quite causes gum disease, but worsens an existing case.

A prime example would be one who bruxes, or grinds, his teeth because of TMJ, but doesn’t maintain good oral hygiene. If even an “insignificant” bit of gum disease develops, the teeth-grinding, and possibly other results of TMJ — such as not being able to open the mouth all the way or swollen joints and sensitive spots in the mouth — will only increase the speed at which the disease develops and turns into something serious.

You really have no excuse if you’re just plain lazy about brushing and flossing your pearly whites; but if something like severe jaw and neck pain is preventing you from brushing and flossing regularly or correctly, then you must see a TMJ specialist immediately. Gum disease is common, and therefore doesn’t sound very serious, but it is.

TMJ is difficult enough to treat on its own; that AND gum disease would be extremely painful!

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

Pediatric Dentistry, Children & TMJ

TMJ disorders are regularly found in adults only, as they are the age group whose facial muscles, structure, and bones are matured. Many of these adults, though, probably were showing early signs as children (i.e. grinding teeth in their sleep or ear pain with no infections), but had these symptoms either ignored or dismissed as “normal” by their parents or pediatricians.

Children generally aren’t specifically diagnosed with TMJ when they are young; it’s the “baby symptoms” that show up around this time and will later provide an environment that causes TMJ to develop and thrive.

It’s important to pay attention to your child’s complaints about physical discomforts. Sure, it may be nothing sometimes (kids DO say lots of things….often too many things!). But if you notice something strange with, for example, the way they chew, tired mouth muscles, inability to open their mouths all the way, or random ear pangs, you should take them in for an orthodontic examination. This is the best way to fix and prevent problems that could lead to TMJ disorders in their adult future.

 

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

How TMJ May Start

TMJ may develop slowly over the course of years and years or maybe a few months. Some people might wake up one day, discovering that their face hurts. Or maybe they can’t chew like they used to because their jaw just began popping or locking up. Or even rigorous activity in playing sports, or gnawing on some really chewy candy can set off TMJ problems that had been waiting to happen all along.

TMJ is the acronym for temporo-mandibular joint and, along with TMD (temporo-mandibular disorder), is what refers to problems and malignments in these joints that control your jaw. Physically, as we age or grow up, the natural harmony of the muscles and bones used in the chewing system can move out of place or may be altered. Continuous bad habits, rigorous activity, or just the natural way the body develops can affect the function of “small” details, such as how comfortable and efficient our mouth works when we speak or eat.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

What is a TMJ Exam?

A TMJ exam is the reviewing of the systems that move and support the temporal-mandibular joint. In our office, this has several componants:

1. We examine all the muscles and palpate the joints for discomfort. Healthy TMJs are not sensative to touch.
2. We listen to the movement joint with a Doppler. We are listening for bones rubbing and discs slipping. What we hear can also give us an idea of the health of the bone surfaces and the cartilaginous disc.
3. We also measure the range of motion that the jaw can move. Normal ranges are from 38-45 mm for women and 42-50mm for men.
4. Pain evaluation.

Healthy joints do not pop, click or hurt. If any of these conditions are present, or if other concerns are found during the exam, the patient may be referred for additional diagnostic x-rays, such as the I-CAT.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com