Harmony & Springbank
TMJ/TMD Therapy

If you are experiencing chronic neck pain, headaches, difficulty opening or closing your mouth while eating or speaking, jaw popping or clicking, or radiating pain in your jaw, you may be dealing with TMJ pain, also known as Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD). Harmony Family Dental recognizes the impact of TMD on your life and is committed to offering safe and effective treatment options to alleviate discomfort and enhance your overall health and wellness.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull on both sides of your head. This joint enables you to open and close your mouth and move your jaw from side to side. While the TMJ functions smoothly for most people, others may experience issues with the joint, which can lead to severe pain and impact your overall health.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are conditions related to the movement of the jaw, as well as any associated pain in and around the jaw. Stress and overuse can contribute to issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) leading to TMD. Bruxism, which is characterized by clenching, gnashing or grinding of the teeth and jaw, is one of the most common forms of TMD.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from temporomandibular disorders:

• Chronic fatigue
• Tired or tight jaw muscles
• Sleep disruption
• Discomfort in your head, jaw, neck, face, back or shoulders
• Ear pain, hearing difficulties or ringing in your ears
• Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, which may be loud enough to wake your sleeping partner
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or your jaw may lock, making it difficult to eat or speak
• Teeth that are fractured, chipped, loose or flattened
• Worn tooth enamel
• Damage from chewing or biting the inside of your cheek
• Increased tooth sensitivity or tooth pain
• Popping or grating sounds in your jaw joints
• Chronic migraines or headaches

Bruxism is a common form of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) that involves clenching, grinding or gnashing of the teeth. It can occur unconsciously while awake or during sleep. While mild bruxism may not require treatment, frequent and severe cases can lead to discomfort, jaw pain, damaged teeth, headaches, loose teeth and other serious health concerns.

Grinding Your Teeth Because You Are Stressed Out?
We Can Help Protect Your Teeth From Unwanted Wear!

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) encompass a range of issues related to the movement of the jaw and pain associated with the jaw. One of the most common forms of TMD is Bruxism, which is characterized by the involuntary clenching, grinding or gnashing of teeth. While mild cases may not necessitate treatment, severe and frequent Bruxism can lead to significant discomfort, damaged teeth, headaches and other health concerns.

Harmony Family Dental recognizes the impact of TMD on overall health and is pleased to offer specialized TMD therapy to address these issues. Harmony Family Dental also acknowledges that diagnosing and treating TMD can be complex due to its varied symptoms. Consulting multiple health professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists, may be required for a comprehensive approach.

The goal at Harmony Family Dental is to provide long-term solutions for TMD. This might include bite rehabilitation and orthodontic treatments. Custom-made TMJ appliances, or plastic mouthguards, are worn over the teeth at night. These appliances support the jaw joints, muscles and teeth, promoting a beneficial alignment that helps alleviate TMJ-related discomfort. Bruxism appliances, commonly known as “Night Guards,” also protect teeth from the wear caused by grinding and gnashing, preventing permanent damage to your teeth enamel.

TMD appliances help aid in decreasing symptoms associated with headaches and pain in the face, cranial, neck, shoulder, arm and back regions. By reducing muscle activity, these appliances allow overworked muscles to relax, contributing to improved overall well-being. Harmony Family Dental is here to provide personalized TMJ/TMD treatment solutions, with the ultimate goal of helping you get back to feeling your best and enhance your overall health and wellness.

A mandibular repositioning temporomandibular joint (TMJ) appliance is a dental device designed to alleviate symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD can cause jaw pain, headaches and other discomforts due to misalignment or dysfunction of the jaw joint. This appliance is custom-made to fit over the upper and lower teeth, with a mechanism to adjust the position of the lower jaw. The appliance typically includes ramps and/or indentation in the surface of the appliance to drive the jaw into the new position. By repositioning the jaw to a more comfortable and stable alignment, the appliance helps reduce stress on the TMJ and alleviate associated symptoms. Mandibular repositioning TMJ appliances are tailored to each individual patients’ needs for optimal effectiveness.