TMJ Specialist Melbourne

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What is TMJ (The temporomandibular joint )?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located just below and in front of the ear, and is formed by both the mandible and jaw bone joining up with the temporal bone of the skill. There is a TMJ joint on each side of our faces, and each of them has a cartilage disc that keeps these bones apart. The cartilage acts to prevent the bony surfaces from wearing down and damaging each other- just like a shock absorber. This jaw joint is enclosed within its own capsule.

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Symptoms of TMJ

There are numerous symptoms that are caused by TMJ disorders, and they include clicking and popping sounds coming from the jaw. There could be muscle pain around these areas especially around the cheeks and temples of our faces. Severe tension headaches can form as well and can be quite debilitating.

Every individual is different, and each individual has different pain thresholds and suffers various symptoms. These include:

• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Back pain
• Face pain
• Ear pain/stuffiness
• Neck ache
• Fatigue
• Shoulder pain

Best TMJ/TMD Dentist in Melbourne

If you experience any of these symptoms and feel that it may be coming from your TMJ, then please contact our TMJ dentist Melbourne at The Smile Designer. We are located just off Bell Street on the border of Thornbury and Preston in Melbourne.

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What is the treatment for TMD – Temporomandibular Dysfunction/Disorder?

Our TMD/TMJ dentist take a holistic approach to create a long lasting and effective solution to your TMJ problems. We work closely with a team of experienced practitioners that can help guide you through your options and TMJ treatment solutions in Melbourne CBD area.

The first step is a comprehensive examination and diagnosis or your dental health and the structures surrounding your jaw. Our aim is to see if your symptoms are in fact entirely a jaw problem, or if there are any other underlying dental related problems that could contribute to your pain.

By taking appropriate records, we can review your bite, your teeth, and the position in which they all come together within your jaw, as we try and understand the forces and stresses that are being placed on the TMJ and the muscles surrounding it. Our aim is to also understand if there is any underlying breathing or airway issues.

The Smile Designer Dental Studio team understands how important the teeth and jaws are in the function of your daily routine. We perform Full Mouth Rehabilitations, Orthodontic Treatment and perform Digital Smile Designs to re-create smiles, and thus have an understanding of how all the structures of the jaw create facial harmony.

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Muscle Relaxants and Facial Injections

As part of your TMJ Treatment, our practice at The Smile Designer offer muscle relaxant or facial injections. Most of our headaches are normally caused by muscle contractions. By relaxing these muscles and preventing full contraction, we can minimise headache pain.

Some symptoms of overactive muscle contractions include Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism), headaches and jaw muscle pain, as well as chronic migraines. Sometimes, the ability to open our mouth is limited, which is called Trismus. All these issues can limit the function of chewing and eating as well as speaking.

At your initial consultation, we will take all the necessary records needed, and discuss the treatment options that are available to you.

If you would like more information, contact our TMD/TMJ dentist at The Smile Designer Dental Studio and schedule your appointment.

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Night Splint and Mouth Guards for TMJ problems

Is grinding wearing you down? Night time grinding is a result of added stress as well as other factors that can lead to problems of the teeth and jaw.

An occlusal splint, also called a night guard, is a custom fabricated appliance that fits over your teeth. It is designed to protect our natural teeth and any artificial prosthesis in our mouths. Excessive clenching and grinding can lead to excessive wear on the teeth and the stresses on the jaw joints can lead to permanent damage.

Wearing a Night Splint can also reduce the stress placed on the jaw joints and the structures surrounding it. This includes the cartilage that is located within the joint. When this cartilage is destroyed from excessive function, the bones of the TMJ can also start getting affected and this creates pain on function.

Sometimes, clenching and grinding issues are related to breathing and airway disorders. More information can be found on our Snoring page.

Our Team at The Smile Designer Dental Studio will walk you through your different options and guide you through the process to reduce the debilitating experiences of TMJ Disorders.