TMJ / TMD Treatment in Los Angeles
Do you often wake up with an ache in your jaw or face? Does your jaw sometimes feel stiff when you try to open and close your mouth? Do you have sensitive or worn-down teeth? Does your jaw make clicking or popping sounds when you chew? If so, it is possible that you have TMJ disorder. This condition is often referred to simply as “TMJ.” Actually, TMJ is the acronym used to describe the temporomandibular joint. If this joint becomes stressed and inflamed, TMJ disorder can develop.
At Downtown Dental, Los Angeles dentist Dr. Mungcal and our well-trained, friendly team are concerned for you and want you to be in the best of health. Therefore, for TMJ relief we offer TMJ treatment.
Patients who are looking for TMJ relief have TMJ problems that usually fall into two categories:
- One is pain. The reason that TMJ disorder often leads to pronounced discomfort in the mornings is that most people clench their jaw when they sleep. In addition to pain from clenching and grinding, additional problems, such as limited mobility in the jaw, can occur. TMJ disorder can also affect areas surrounding the face, such as the head, neck, and ears. This is because the musculoskeletal structure spans these areas as well as the face. TMJ treatment can address facial pain and problems such as chronic pain in the head, neck, and shoulders and even ringing in the ears.
- The other category of TMJ problem is related directly to the teeth. Many people visit Downtown Dental complaining of tooth sensitivity when they eat or drink warm or cold foods and beverages. Excessive wear is another effect of TMJ disorder on the teeth. This problem is also associated with clenching and grinding. Sometimes, sensitivity and undue wear are problems that we notice during the routine dental visit, giving us the opportunity to solve them with conservative care.
TMJ relief is available in the Los Angeles office of dentist Dr. Mungcal. Many people who suffer from TMJ disorder can experience a significant decrease in symptoms wearing a comfortable, convenient nightguard appliance custom fitted to their mouth. The nightguard looks somewhat like the appliances worn by athletes. The purpose of nightly wear is to create a buffer against the excessive force of clenching and grinding, reducing stress on the temporomandibular joints.
TMJ treatment appliances through the Los Angeles dental office of Downtown Dental are an alternative to other more invasive treatments such as restorations and orthodontics, which can help realign the jaw and bite to reduce the problems associated with TMJ.
Over the counter TMJ treatment appliances can be found, but they do not achieve the highest degree of protection due to the inability to fit them properly. Every one of us has a bite unique to our oral structure. For a TMJ treatment appliance to be effective for TMJ relief, it must be professionally custom-made to each individual patient.
Los Angeles dentist Dr. Mungcal at Downtown Dental prides himself in offering a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility, as well as a helpful, highly trained team of dentists and hygienists in our office. For TMJ relief with excellent TMJ treatment in the Los Angeles area, call today!
Dr. Don Mungcal
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Dr. Don Mungcal, a distinguished dentist in Los Angeles, combines over three decades of experience with a deep commitment to patient care. A UCLA graduate, he earned his dental degree with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in 1990. Dr. Mungcal has been recognized as a Best Dentist in Downtown by the “Los Angeles Downtown News” for four years in a row and served as an instructor at USC Dental School. As an active member of the California Dental Society, among other prestigious organizations, he continually updates his expertise through extensive continuing education.
