Brookswood area dentist gets to the source of TMD symptoms for effective and lasting treatment
Does your jaw hurt when you wake up in the morning? The pain might subside, only to return later in the day. When you open your mouth, do you hear a popping sound? Your jaw may feel stiff, making it hard to close your mouth easily and comfortably. Maybe you suffer from frequent migraines, earaches, or shoulder and neck pain. If these circumstances sound familiar, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) may be to blame. Dr. Harpreet Aulakh and her team at Smile365 Dental are adept at understanding TMD symptoms and treatment, to bring relief to Brookswood and Langley City, BC, area patients.
What is the true nature of your TMD?
Because there are so many conditions and factors that can cause problems with the jaw joints on each side of our face, treatments are multi-faceted and personalized to each patient’s needs. Dr. Aulakh thoroughly evaluates the function of your jaw and interconnected muscles and nerves, assesses your medical history, and discusses symptoms with you to determine the cause of your problems. By identifying the cause, she unlocks effective treatment.
Healthy function may be impeded when the small, shock-absorbing discs that separate the bones in the joint erode or become misaligned, or the joint’s cartilage is damaged. Erosion, damage, and trauma can be caused by conditions such as:
Help is here
- Relaxation techniques – Stress has been linked to daytime and nocturnal bruxism and TMD. You may benefit from stress-reduction exercises, including biofeedback.
- Oral appliance therapy – To ease pressure on the jaws among bruxism-prone patients, Dr. Aulakh may design a custom-fit dental appliance or splint to be worn during sleep. She may also discuss orthodontic appliances to correct another stressor: a poor bite.
Smile365 Dental of Langley City looks forward to providing lasting relief, by addressing the source of your symptoms. Dr. Aulakh may recommend the following treatments, often in combination with each other:
Additionally, old or worn dental restorations can alter how your teeth fit together and have a detrimental effect on your jaw and its interconnected components. Call our Brookswood, BC, area office at (604) 409-8660 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Aulakh.