TMJ & Bruxism Treatment

Woman with TMJ PainDo you wake up every morning with jaw, neck, or shoulder pain? Does it hurt to open and close your mouth or chew your favorite foods?

These are just a few symptoms that can indicate a problem with the TMJ or temporomandibular joint. When the jaw joint doesn’t function properly or causes pain, We call it temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. At Rancho Peñasquitos Dental Center in San Diego, AZ, Dr. Pavneet Soindhi offer conservative TMJ pain relief and treatment to restore your comfort and protect your smile. 

What Causes TMJ Pain?

Other common symptoms of TMJ problems are teeth grinding or bruxism to the point of pain. Chronic clenching and teeth grinding may be caused by broken or worn teeth, tooth loss, or a bad dental bite (malocclusion). Most teeth grinding occurs during sleep, but others do it all day long.

What Are Symptoms of TMD?

Several symptoms indicate that you may be dealing with TMJ problems, including:

  • Popping, clicking, or grinding noises in the jaw
  • Head, neck, or jaw pain
  • Migraine headaches
  • Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
  • Broken or cracked teeth
  • Excessive tooth wear
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the years

What Causes Bruxism?

There is not always a clear-cut answer to why a patient grinds their teeth. The underlying cause varies from person to person, but common reasons for teeth grinding include one or more of the following:

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Malocclusion
  • Stress and lifestyle factors
  • Alcohol or caffeine use
  • Prescription medications
  • Neurological dysfunction

TMJ Pain Relief and Treatment in San Diego, CA

Woman with Nightguard in San Diego, CAWhile TMD and teeth grinding can be painful and disrupt your lifestyle, the solution for providing relief and restoring function may be relatively simple.

Your jaw joint hurts and feels sore because it’s overworked by constant grinding and clenching during sleep. At Rancho Peñasquitos Dental Center, we can help you overcome painful TMJ-related symptoms by customizing a nightguard to wear while you sleep.

Also called an occlusal guard or splint, you wear a custom night guard over your upper teeth. The guard acts as a cushion between your upper and lower teeth so that when you clench or grind, your teeth don’t come into direct contact. A custom night guard relieves the constant painful pressure on your jaw joint, giving it a chance to rest and recover.

Dental Treatments for TMJ Pain and Relief

The first step is for Dr. Pavneeet Sondhi to determine your current dental condition related to your TMJ. The first step is to evaluate your dental bite and how the TMJ functions when you open and close your mouth.

Dr. Sondhi also takes digital x-rays and comfortable digital impressions to gather further information about your teeth and jaws. Based on her findings, she may recommend one or more of the following dental treatments to restore proper function and relieve your TMJ pain.

  • Replace missing teeth
  • Restore worn or broken teeth
  • Place one or more crowns to adjust your dental bite

Therapeutic approaches to reducing clenching and grinding related to stress are yoga, meditation, behavioral modification, and massage therapy.

Call Our San Diego, CA TMJ Dentist to Schedule

We provide customized treatment to relieve pain and minimize the impact of TMJ problems on your daily life. Please call our San Diego, CA dental office so we can work together to find a solution that lets you take back your comfort and your life.