Black Friday special for Zoom whitening
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Black Friday special for Zoom whitening
$999 Dental Implants
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) affects millions of people, causing chronic jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty with everyday activities like eating and speaking. This complex condition involves the joints that connect your jaw to your skull, along with the surrounding muscles and ligaments that control jaw movement. When these structures become misaligned or inflamed, the resulting pain and dysfunction can significantly impact your quality of life.
At South Hills Dental Arts, we understand the debilitating effects of TMJ disorder and offer comprehensive treatment solutions to help you find lasting relief. Our experienced team uses advanced diagnostic techniques and proven therapies to address the root causes of your TMJ symptoms, providing personalized care that restores comfort and function to your jaw.
TMJ disorder encompasses a range of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joints and the muscles that control jaw movement. These joints are among the most complex in your body, allowing your jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward and backward. When something disrupts this intricate system, it can result in pain, stiffness, and limited jaw function.
The causes of TMJ disorder vary widely and may include teeth grinding or clenching, jaw injury, arthritis, stress, or structural problems with the jaw joints. Many patients develop TMJ symptoms gradually, while others experience a sudden onset following an injury or dental procedure. Understanding the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan.
TMJ disorder can manifest through various symptoms that may seem unrelated to your jaw joints. Recognizing these signs early can help you seek appropriate treatment before the condition worsens.
The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is pain in and around the jaw joints. This pain may be constant or intermittent and can range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations. Many patients also experience facial pain that radiates to the cheeks, temples, or neck area.
Pain often worsens with jaw movement, particularly when chewing, talking, or yawning. Some patients find that their jaw pain is most severe in the morning, especially if they grind their teeth during sleep.
TMJ-related headaches are frequently mistaken for tension headaches or migraines. These headaches typically occur near the temples and may be accompanied by neck and shoulder pain. The interconnected nature of the jaw, neck, and head muscles means that TMJ dysfunction can create a cascade of pain throughout the upper body.
Many patients report that their headaches improve when their TMJ symptoms are properly treated, highlighting the important connection between jaw function and head pain.
TMJ disorder can cause various functional problems with your jaw. You may experience difficulty opening your mouth fully, jaw locking in either the open or closed position, or clicking and popping sounds when you move your jaw. These symptoms can make eating, speaking, and even yawning uncomfortable or challenging.
We offer a comprehensive range of TMJ treatments designed to address both the symptoms and underlying causes of your condition.
Oral appliances represent one of the most effective treatments for TMJ disorder. These custom-made devices are designed to reposition your jaw into proper alignment, reducing stress on the TMJ joints and surrounding muscles. Night guards can protect your teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep, while repositioning splints help maintain optimal jaw alignment throughout the day.
Each appliance is carefully crafted based on detailed impressions of your teeth and bite analysis. We monitor your progress closely and make adjustments as needed to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness.
When TMJ disorder is caused by bite problems or tooth misalignment, correcting these issues can provide significant relief. Bite adjustment involves carefully reshaping tooth surfaces to eliminate interference points that force your jaw into unnatural positions. For more complex alignment issues, orthodontic treatment may be recommended to properly position your teeth and improve jaw function.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull and upper jaw. When inflamed, TMJ disorder (or TMD) can occur and often manifests as jaw clicking, soreness, tension or lock jaw. This pain and discomfort can also be severe enough to prevent you from chewing and speaking with ease. At South Hills Dental Arts, the best dentists in Pittsburgh offer drug-free, non-invasive treatment options to help you find lasting relief. Contact us today!
From teeth grinding to arthritis, the causes of TMJ disorder can vary. The first step in finding long-term relief is to see our highly-trained dentists for a proper diagnosis. Once we understand what’s causing your TMJ pain, we can develop a treatment plan that works for you.
After your comprehensive exam, we’ll start working on a custom treatment plan. This could include:
Your treatment plan may include recommendations on lifestyle changes and at-home physical therapy that can help improve your jaw’s range of motion and ease your TMJ disorder symptoms. Our team will discuss these recommendations with you during treatment planning to ensure they’re manageable for you.
After gently biting down on an ultra-thin sensor, our Tek system will analyze your mouth to create 3D images of your bite and jaw pressure. This data allows your South Hills Dental Arts dentist to outline the exact treatment required to alleviate your jaw pain.
With non-invasive TruDenta technology, our team can provide relief from pain and inflammation on the very first visit.
An essential part of healing is ensuring that you regain a full range of motion and your quality of life.
Stress is a common cause of TMJ disorder. We’ll equip you with a variety of relaxation techniques to help you live pain-free.
Dr. Yousef started with bite therapy and then went into study models, provisional staging, and then finals. The results? A beautiful new smile with veneers for this awesome patient!
To restore this patient’s smile back to its true form, Dr. Yousef placed several implants. Dr. Yousef then completed mounted models as well as provisional crowns and final crowns.
Dr. Johnson placed 6 upper anterior crowns, completely restoring this patient’s severely decayed and broken smile.
This patient came to Dr. Johnson with an upper partial and a variety of ill fitting and failing crowns. A set of snap-in dentures on the patient’s upper arch restored their health to its peak form.
Broken and missing teeth kept this patient from smiling with confidence. Dr. Johnson was able to renew the natural form and function of their smile with a set of snap-in denutres on their upper arch.
Before coming to our office, this patient struggled with failing teeth, recession, and bone loss. With a set of upper and lower snap-in dentures, Dr. Johnson was able to completley restore their smile.Before coming to our office, this patient struggled with failing teeth, recession, and bone loss. With a set of upper and lower snap-in dentures, Dr. Johnson was able to completley restore their smile.
TMJ pain and jaw problems can begin due to a variety of different factors. For instance, bruxism (or teeth grinding) which is a common cause of TMJ pain, is often triggered by stress. Other causes include:
Because of the variety of causes, it’s important to see an experienced team to get a proper diagnosis and to treat the underlying cause of your TMJ issue.
TMJ disorder can be diagnosed by using a combination of diagnostic methods. Most often, you’ll need a physical examination to find any tenderness, clicking or popping sounds, or limited mobility of the jaw. Your dentist will perform an in-depth review of your symptoms and understand how long you’ve been experiencing them. We may also recommend x-rays, CT scans, or a bite analysis to identify the root cause of your pain.
It’s important to acknowledge that pain is not normal, and TMJ issues typically don’t get better on their own. Before things get worse, contact South Hills Dental Arts for a consultation and get back to a functional, pain-free life.
Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ, is a condition that affects the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. It can cause a range of symptoms, from jaw pain and difficulty chewing to headaches and earaches. The question of whether TMJ will go away on its own is a common one, but the answer isn’t straightforward.
Some cases of TMJ can improve without treatment, especially if they’re caused by temporary factors like stress or a minor injury. However, for many people, TMJ is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. It’s also worth noting that even if your symptoms do improve on their own, they may return if the underlying cause of your TMJ isn’t addressed.
Managing TMJ pain often involves a combination of at-home remedies and professional treatment. At home, you can try things like eating soft foods, using heat or cold packs on your jaw, and practicing relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be helpful.
In terms of professional treatment, there are several options available. Physical therapy can be beneficial for many people with TMJ, as it can help to improve jaw function and reduce pain. Dental treatments like bite guards or orthodontics can also be effective, especially if your TMJ is caused by issues with your bite or jaw alignment.
In some cases, more invasive treatments like surgery may be necessary. However, these are usually considered as a last resort, and most people with TMJ can manage their symptoms effectively with less invasive treatments.
If left untreated, TMJ can lead to a number of complications. The most immediate of these is likely to be an increase in your symptoms. You may find that your jaw pain becomes more severe, or that you start to experience additional symptoms like headaches, earaches, or difficulty chewing.
Over time, untreated TMJ can also lead to more serious issues. It can cause permanent damage to your jaw joint, which can result in chronic pain and potentially even affect your ability to open and close your jaw. It can also lead to issues with your teeth, as the increased pressure on your jaw can cause them to become worn or damaged.
In addition, untreated TMJ can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can make it difficult to eat or speak comfortably, and the constant pain can be very distressing. It can also interfere with your sleep, which can have a knock-on effect on your overall health and well-being.
In short, while it’s possible that your TMJ symptoms may improve on their own, it’s not something you should count on. If you’re experiencing symptoms of TMJ, it’s important to seek professional help to ensure that you’re managing the condition effectively and preventing any potential complications.
Several lifestyle changes can help alleviate TMJ symptoms. These include practicing good posture, especially while working at a computer or looking at your phone, as poor posture can strain the neck and jaw muscles. Avoiding chewing gum and hard or chewy foods can also reduce stress on the jaw. Additionally, exercises that strengthen and relax the jaw muscles can be beneficial. Your dentist can recommend specific exercises based on your condition.
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