What Is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Bear Creek Dental can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit BearCreekDental.CA for more information.  To schedule an appointment at Bear Creek Dental, located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada, call 780-539-0404.

Sleep Apnea and TMJ Connection

Did you know that headaches and snoring could be related? Did you know your dentist could help with both problems? The doctors of Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie have experience treating a variety of oral health problems. One of their skills is fabricating custom-fitted night guards to protect patients from sleep apnea and bruxism.

Obstructive sleep apnea is what happens when a person’s airways become clogged when they lie down. This is what causes snoring. In an attempt to keep the airways open, the body moves the jaw around, which puts pressure on the teeth and jaw joint. The joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull is technically called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and it’s one of the most complex in the body. When it is under strain, people can suffer symptoms ranging from headaches and ringing in their ears to shoulder pain and difficulty opening their mouths. They are also likely to suffer pain in their teeth, which are being worn down and, in the worst cases, might crack.

A custom fitted night guard helps solves all these problems by keeping the teeth of the upper and lower jaw from coming into contact with each other at night. The airways are less likely to be obstructed, removing the need to move the jaw, and the teeth aren’t being directly worn down.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit Bear Creek Dental.

 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

Most of us may notice a clicking or a popping sound when we chew, but we don’t realize where it’s coming from. The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull which are located in front of each ear. Without this joint, we wouldn’t be able to speak, eat, or yawn. When this joint becomes inflamed, our doctors at Bear Creek Dental can treat the problem.

Temporomandibular joint disorder is a name for a combination of symptoms that arise with inflammation in the temporomandibular joint. Though there is no documented cause for these conditions, speculations include teeth clenching, arthritis in the joint, and/or stress. If you are experiencing these symptoms, treatment options may include a mouth guard or a night guard to wear during sleep to alleviate pressure on the jaw muscles.

If you have questions or concerns regarding facial pain, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Botox for Facial Pain

For over 20 years, Botox has commonly been used to erase unsightly frown lines and/or wrinkles. Recently, Botox has developed a popular reputation in the dental industry as a therapeutic use for facial pain due to TMJ/TMD. This is because Botox contains a tiny dose of botulinum which has the ability to decrease facial pain associated with this condition. If you’ve exhausted your treatment options for eliminating facial pain, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Bear Creek Dental to see if Botox is right for you.

TMD, commonly known as a temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition associated with pain in the jaw and facial muscles, which can cause headaches, earaches, and general facial pain. During the procedure, Botox will be injected into the facial muscles without any sensory loss. This allows the facial muscles to relax, instead of contracting, which typically causes pain. There are other dental conditions that are sometimes treated using Botox, but our doctors at Bear Creek Dental will recommend the usage of this substance as he or she sees fit.   

If you suffer from facial pain and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.