TMD Treatment
Jaw pain. Headaches. A clicking of the jaw joints. Difficulty opening your mouth. These are some of the more common symptoms of TMD, which stands for temporomandibular jaw joint dysfunction. People who suffer from TMD not only experience pain but also a reduction in their quality of life. At Go Dental Surgery, we offer effective solutions to address your TMD.
Dr. Tiffany’s Training
Providing TMD treatment for her patients is a particular passion for Dr Tiffany. That’s why she’s undergone additional training. “I’ve done a lot of extra study in that area over the years and am attending courses in the Gold Coast of Sydney and in New York as well,” she said. Dr Tiffany is currently completing her diploma in TMD and sleep-disturbed breathing.
Appliance Therapy & Orthodontic Approaches
To address TMD, we provide appliance therapy in the form of a night guard or a day guard. These appliances can help protect the teeth and jaw joints. Adjunctive physical therapy is available too.
Along with TMD treatment, we offer functional orthodontics. With straightening teeth there are two main approaches. One is a cosmetic-focused approach, which we offer with options like aligner treatment or Invisalign® or perhaps cosmetic tooth bonding. Another approach is functional orthodontics, which aims to help patients to have a healthy jaw joint and a stable and spacious airway, as well as having straight teeth.
Airway Management
We know that there’s a correlation between jaw joint issues, snoring and TMD issues. The management of TMD often goes hand-in-hand with airway management. The appliances that we customise for patients aim to protect the teeth and the jaw joint, and also, quite often open up the airway by advancing the lower jaw forward.
When the lower jaw comes forward the tongue comes forward with it and that helps to maintain that vital airway space behind the tongue. Often when patients are sleeping, the muscles of the face, neck and jaw muscles will relax and narrow off that critical airway space.
TMD and sleep apnoea management involve helping a patient to maintain their airway space better, as well as incorporating some other advice and perhaps getting some other health professionals on board. In particular, we may refer you to a throat specialist or for allergy desensitisation treatment.
Myofunctional Therapy
Another way to effectively address TMD is through myofunctional therapy, which helps patients establish correct breathing habits that relate to nasal breathing, lip seal and tongue posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Could my headache and neck pain be related to clenching and grinding my teeth?
Are there dietary changes I can make to improve my TMD?
Can making sleep hygiene changes help?
Book a Consultation
If you’re suffering from TMD, we recommend that you come in for a consultation. As TMD management is quite multifaceted we can likely find the treatment that will work for you!
CONTACT US
*Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
