Do you suffer from chronic jaw, head, and neck pain? If so, you're not alone. Millions of people worldwide struggle with this type of pain every day. But what if we told you that you might have a TMJ disorder? Because TMJ pain manifests in so many ways, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is difficult to diagnose. However, with a brief Neuromuscular exam and diagnosis, Dr. Buck can identify treatment to end your TMJ pain.
The Issue of TMJ
TMJ manifests in many ways, with many people suffering from the pain and relying on pain medication as their only therapy option. However, TMJ is not something to be taken lightly.
TMJ is most commonly known to cause pain in the head, neck, and jaw. It can, however, induce a variety of other symptoms, including severe crippling headaches, dizziness or vertigo, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, loss of sensation or numbness in the hands, sleep issues, ringing in the ears, stuffy ears, and radiating pain, among others.
What Is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Neuromuscular Dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the relationship between the teeth, muscles, and nerves. With Neuromuscular Dentistry, Dr. Buck focuses on treating various dental problems, including TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
What Causes Chronic Jaw, Head, and Neck Pain?
There are many different reasons why someone might suffer from chronic jaw, head, and neck pain. However, the most common cause is TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull.
A TMJ disorder can be caused by several different things, including:
- Misalignment of the teeth
- Injury to the TMJ
- Arthritis in the TMJ
- Jaw clenching or grinding (bruxism)
- Stress
TMJ Symptoms
The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is pain in the jaw, head, and neck. This pain can be constant, or it can come and go. Other common symptoms include:
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw locking
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain in the ears
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Neck pain
Treatment for TMJ Disorders
If you're interested in receiving treatment for your TMJ disorder, several different options are available to you. Contact us today at (425) 948-1875 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Buck.
