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Solana Smiles

530 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite 3
Solana Beach, CA 92075-1349

Phone: (858) 481-5210
Fax: (858) 481-0502

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)

Do You Have TMJ Disorder?

Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
Does your jaw click, pop, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
Is is hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?

The more times you answered "yes", the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you to understand how they are treated.

TMJ Disorders

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a "clicking" sound, you'll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. Dr. Vakili is trained in various techniques that can help alleviate the problems and can help you have a healthier and more comfortable jaw.

Treatment

There are various treatment options that Dr. Vakili can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Dr. Vakili will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care joined with professional care.

The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasm and joint pain. Appliance therapy (known as a splint) which fits over your top or bottom teeth is used to keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for different purposes. A night guard helps you stop clenching or grinding your teeth at night and reduces muscle tension and helps to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces. An anterior positioning appliance moves your jaw forward, relieves pressure on parts of your jaw and aids in disk repositioning. An orthodic stabilization appliance is worn 24 hours/day or just at night to move your jaw into proper position. Appliances also can help to protect from tooth wear.

What about Bite Correction?

If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together, you may need treatment such as bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics or restorative dental work. Dr. Vakili does not consider TMJ surgery unless the jaw can't open, is dislocated and nonreducible, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.