At SmileGrove, we offer comprehensive care to address the root causes of TMJ and limit the pain and discomfort that it can cause. We know firsthand hand TMJ can negatively impact your ability to relax, enjoy simple activities, eat and even speak.
That’s why our clinic offers a variety of services and treatments to address TMJ in Oakville. We work with you to assess the potential causes of your discomfort and create custom care plans to limit the symptoms.
Through addressing dental issues, utilizing night guards, employing Botox therapy, putting you through exercises, or making lifestyle changes, we work with you hand in hand to address TMJ and stop jaw pain in Oakville.
Continue to read about TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder in Oakville, or click the buttons below to learn more about specific TMJ treatments.
“TMJ” or temporomandibular joint) disorder is a complex set of conditions that affect the joints that connect your skull to your jawbone. While TMJ can start with mild symptoms like a dull ache and clicking, it can also lead to more serious discomfort like pain, stiffness, and movement challenges.
The causes of TMJ can be complex and varied, including chronic teeth grinding and clenching, injuries, arthritis, stress and genetics.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
TMJ Disorder can present a variety of different symptoms:
As the disorder has a multitude of causes and symptoms, our dental team provides a variety of different treatment options to manage TMJ in Oakville. By utilizing and combining different treatments tailored to your needs, our dental team seeks to provide you with solutions that can improve your comfort and function.
Our dentists can provide custom-made night guards after scanning your mouth with cutting-edge digital scanners. These nighguards can provide relief for patients with temporomandibular joint disorder in Oakville when the condition is caused or worsened by bruxism (teeth grinding). The guards prevent you from grinding or clenching during your sleep, which reduces significant pressure on your jaw bone, and protects your teeth from further damage.
Better known for its cosmetic uses, our SmileGrove dentists utilize botox therapy to effectively treat TMJ. Botox is inserted into overactive muscles in the jaw to lower the amount of force and pressure exerted on your jaw and teeth. Depending on the causes of your TMJ disorder, botox can relieve jaw pain and tension headaches.
Home exercises are an important and necessary approach to preventing and managing TMJ-related symptoms. Our trained dental professionals will teach you how these different exercises can help elongate your muscles and strengthen them to provide better jaw stability and flexibility.
We also provide patients with techniques, including massages and warm compresses, to treat and resolve symptoms.
TMJ disorder can be caused by various factors, including certain lifestyle activities. Your dentist will assess, discuss and address your daily activities and habits to determine if changes may be recommended. Small changes can address certain root causes and lower symptoms.
Patients are often surprised to learn that Botox can play a positive role in the treatment of TMJ and jaw pain. When injected by a trained healthcare professional, Botox can help to alleviate tension in certain muscles involved in TMJ, such as the masseter and temporalis muscles. By relaxing these muscles, Botox therapy can reduce clenching and grinding, which are key causes of pain and other TMJ symptoms. You can read more about the effect of Botox from the Mayo Clinic.
The treatment process is simple and straightforward:
When patients are beginning treatment, they often opt for injections every 3 to 4 months to reduce symptoms. However, many patients have reported that their frequency of treatments decreases over time. Researchers have suggested that this is because Botox therapy adapts muscles over time, thus reducing the need for ongoing treatment. Some patients report that after a year ot two of treatment, they require only require maintenance injections once or twice a year.
Beyond reducing pain and improving jaw function, Botox therapy can also be a plus for your dental health. Botox can help reduce chronic teeth grinding and clenching. Both of these activities can wear down your teeth, damage your gums, and lead to costly dental procedures. You could help safeguard your smile and avoid more invasive treatments later on by trying Botox therapy.
During your assessment, Dr. Karen Man will review with you the benefits, process and side effects associated with botox therapy. While generally effective, not everyone is a candidate for Botox or responds to treatment. Some patients can require more than one application of Botox to experience results.
At SmileGrove, we are committed to explaining treatments, insurance coverage, and financial costs. Our team is ready and happy to help provide you with an estimate for your treatment, either by phone (905-844-2401) or email.
The cost and insurance coverage associated with Botox treatment depends on the details of your condition and how many injections are required.
Although Botox was once associated with more cosmetic uses, many dental insurance plans now recognize it as a treatment for TMJ disorders, grinding and clenching. Every insurance plan is different, so we always recommend checking with your insurance provider first to determine if your plan covers Botox for TMJ.
As always, our team can help you communicate with your insurance company, including filling out any necessary paperwork such as ‘prior authorization forms’. If your insurance plan does not cover the treatment, you may be eligible for our payment plans and financing options that help make Botox for TMJ treatment accessible to our patients.
Our dental professionals offer a sophisticated care approach to address your TMJ in Oakville:
When injected into your masseter muscles, Botox therapy may help to reduce your TMJ symptoms for approximately 3 to 6 months. Patients often find further relief with follow-up treatments.
Many patients fear that a night guard will be uncomfortable based on prior experiences with store-bought night guards or those designed by older technology. In contrast, SmileGrove custom designs your night guard through a comprehensive digital scan. This custom design, combined with a thinner and less bulk approach than store bought options means that today’s nightguards are custom, fitted, and comfortable.
Surprisingly, yes! TMJ has many root causes and symptoms. However, many patients have muscle imbalances and tightness that contributes to complex TMJ disorders. By addressing these muscle issues, exercises and stretches can greatly reduce TMJ discomfort alongside other treatments that your dentist may recommend.
Our dental team is passionate about helping you achieve relief and management through treatment plans tailored to help your TMJ in Oakville..
Start working with us today by calling at 905-844-2401, emailing us at info@smilegrove.ca, or filling out our contact form.
