Persistent headaches and jaw pain can interfere with your daily life, leaving you constantly reaching for painkillers to get through the day. However, if your discomfort stems from TMJ disorder (TMD), we can help. At Downtown Dental, we go beyond temporary fixes—we identify the root cause of your TMJ pain and offer personalized treatment options to provide lasting relief.
TMJ pain treatment in Los Angeles, California, can help you:
- Eat comfortably again
- Concentrate and sleep without pain
- Live a painless lifestyle
- Wake up feeling energized and refreshed
Don’t let TMJ pain take control of your life. Call 213-863-9464, and our dental team will make your pain go away for good.
Do I have TMJ pain?
Everyone has two hinge-like joints—temporomandibular joints (TMJs)—located on each side of the face, just in front of the ears. If you place your fingers in that area and open and close your mouth, you’ll feel your TMJs move. The TMJs are incredibly versatile, allowing your jaw to move up, down, and sideways so you can chew, speak, yawn, smile, etc. These small but powerful joints play a significant role in your everyday life.
Unfortunately, the TMJs can be inflamed, injured, or strained, which triggers several unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Jaw pain, soreness, or tightness
- Unexplained headaches
- Jaw clicking and popping (crepitus)
- Limited jaw movement
- Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Painful chewing
TMJ disorders can stem from trauma, overuse, chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), or sleep disorder conditions like obstructive sleep apnea. Sometimes, TMJ pain can result from dental misalignment and inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Whatever the cause, TMJ pain will only worsen if left untreated. It’s vital to seek TMJ disorder treatment to relieve pain and improve quality of life.
How do we diagnose TMJ pain?
Diagnosing TMJ pain isn’t an easy feat, as its symptoms often overlap with other conditions like migraines, earaches, toothaches, or even tinnitus. This makes it easy to overlook or misattribute the actual cause of discomfort. Misdiagnosis often leads to a cycle of treatments that don’t work.
Our Los Angeles dental office comprehensively evaluates your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). We use advanced diagnostic tools, thorough physical exams, and a complete review of your symptoms and medical history to pinpoint the exact source of your jaw pain. This careful evaluation allows us to create a personalized treatment plan that targets the root cause, not just the symptoms, for lasting relief.
How is TMJ pain treated?
A custom-made mouthguard is one of the most effective solutions for managing TMJ pain. This oral appliance is precisely fitted to reduce strain on your jaw, minimize teeth grinding, and restore comfort. A nightguard is worn during sleep, and many patients experience relief after a few days of use.
Although a nightguard is effective for pain relief, it doesn’t resolve the root cause of the pain. Your Los Angeles TMJ dentist will help pinpoint the root cause of your pain for long-lasting relief. Depending on the findings, additional treatment may include orthodontics, medications, lifestyle changes, and jaw rehabilitation.
Ready for TMJ pain relief in Los Angeles, California?
Jaw pain and headaches don’t have to be part of your everyday life. If you suspect TMJ pain, call 213-863-9464 or email office@downtowndentalLA.com for pain relief at Downtown Dental. Let us help you break free from the cycle of pain.
