At Painfree Dentistry, we treat patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, also known as TMD. This is a medical problem that affects the jaw joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull under your ear.
TMD can cause problems, including headaches, facial swelling and more. This disorder is treatable once diagnosed, and at Painfree Dentistry, we offer the greatest care.
The TMJ is a hinge that connects the lower jaw to the skull under your ear. This joint is important as it allows your jaw to move, especially for daily actions like talking, eating, yawning, and speaking.
One of the biggest contributors to TMJ problems is sleep. That is why we will evaluate your sleep during the treatment process.
Here are the common causes of the disorder:
Dr Alam graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Sydney in 1995. After working at various practices, Dr Alam opened his own practice in 1997 in Harris Park Village, located on the edge of the vibrant Parramatta CBD under the banner of Painfree Dentistry. The practice has grown to become the biggest privately owned practice in the Parramatta district, with seven dentists, an oral health therapist, and many supporting staff.
Dr Alam is passionate about learning innovations and using the latest technologies. With an increasing focus spanning ...
Knowing the symptoms is important so you can spot the signs early and seek medical attention in time. TMD symptoms include:
Although the condition isn’t usually serious, the symptoms can become severe. The two symptoms you should not ignore are closed lock (can’t open your mouth) and open lock (can’t close your mouth). These symptoms cannot wait as it will be harder to fix the jaw back into place. If you have these symptoms, call us right away.
When you come to us for diagnosis, we will give you an in-depth examination. This includes:
We will also look at joint sounds, opening motions, the jaw's movement, inflammation and examine your sleep to determine if a sleep disorder is part of the cause.
There are a range of therapies to treat the disorder. You will be given a treatment plan to help combat any pain and to correct your bite. We have splints designed to help heal the jaw joint through the day and the night. Usually, treatment lasts around three months but can be more as every patient is different.
We want our patients to have the best quality of life. So, if you’re experiencing any symptoms, pain, or if you’re worried about your dental health, contact us today. You do not have to suffer from this condition. We want to help you.
Bruxism is a common condition that commonly occurs during sleep.
That is why many who have it are unaware they are grinding their teeth - most people only realize it if a partner tells them about the noise or if you start feeling symptoms.
A common cause is an imperfect bite, which means that the lower and upper jaw do not come together, so the teeth do not fit comfortably.
It isn’t just grinding that causes problems but jaw clenching, too, making patients feel uncomfortable and sometimes causing damaged teeth.
Lifestyle can also contribute to this condition: people who are stressed can be unaware that they are grinding their teeth.
When grinding is caused by an imperfect bite, you may start to bite harder and damage your teeth's enamel. Biting harder will eventually wear down the teeth.
The most common effects of teeth grinding include:
Jaw pain can have a significant impact on your daily life as it affects the way you eat and speak. There are many causes of jaw pain. This means that it can be challenging to know if there is an issue with the jaw or if something else is causing ...
Suffering from frequent headaches? Then consider visiting the dentist. In some cases, the cause of the headache could be a dental issue. You could be experiencing a dental headache.
A dental headache can occur when muscular tension builds up around the face and jaw. Around 80% of ...
Have you noticed a clicking noise when you open and close your mouth to eat, talk, yawn and more? Then you may have a problem with your jaw joint or the TMJ. The clicking noise can appear with other symptoms such as pain, headaches and earache. The loud noise and/or ...
If you discuss your symptoms with your dentist and they decide treatment is needed, you might be given a mouthguard. This is a common solution that will help prevent teeth from grinding while you sleep. Not only will it stop the grinding process, but the damage it does to your teeth as well.
If teeth grinding and an imperfect bite cause clenching, your dentist may adjust your teeth. This will improve your bite, so it will stop you from subconsciously grinding and clenching.
There are natural ways to stop grinding and clenching. These are often recommended to you if your condition is caused by stress. If this is the case, you could try relaxation techniques and stress management. You can also do facial exercises to relax the face before you go to sleep.
An occlusal splint is a successful solution to bruxism. It is a guard that fits the upper jaw. It covers the biting surface of the teeth. It will not stop you from grinding or clenching the teeth, but it will stop the damage that it does. It guides the jaw into the correct position, which in turn relieves pressure on the jaw. The splint is slim fitting and is made from acrylic, making it a tough solution that can withstand the pressure. It is completely safe to wear while you sleep as it has been designed to be worn at night as this is when the condition occurs.
The splint will take two appointments. On appointment one, the dentist will take impressions of the lower and upper teeth. Some measurements may also be taken. An impression is taken because the splints are made on-site to fit the patient’s individual teeth. On appointment two, your dentist will check the fit of your new splints. The splint must fit comfortably. If all is well, the treatment is over, and you will have a durable solution to bruxism.
Dentistry is always moving forward. Today we can create splints with new technology that makes the treatment more accurate than ever before. CAD/CAM uses computer technology to create a splint that is unique to you. Not only does the newer technology make splints fit better than ever, but it also has changed the materials used. Splints are now thinner, sleeker and more durable than ever before. This technology ensures that your splint will fit comfortably, and it will also lower the risk of tears appearing in the splint. We use this technology to make sure our patients receive modern care.
Grinding and clenching the teeth is not something you have to live with. You don’t have to suffer painful symptoms or damaged teeth. At Painfree Dentistry, we offer treatments and guidance to prevent this issue from causing more damage. Contact our Parramatta dental clinic to discuss a variety of treatment options.