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TMJ Treatment & FAQ's

Cosmetic Dentist serving Boulder and Denver, Colorado

What is TMJ?

TMJ is an abbreviation for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which is a collection of symptoms that result from the malocclusion or misalignment of the temporomandibular joint, the point where your lower jaw meets your skull. When the jaws don't mesh properly, the muscles surrounding them become strained, which may result in pain throughout the face, head, arms, shoulders, and back. TMJ can result in headaches, sore teeth, numbness or tingling in the arms, popping in the jaw, chipped and broken teeth, and pain in the neck and shoulders.

How do I know if I have TMJ?

If you have had any of the common symptoms of TMJ for any length of time, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Schaffer. He will use special instruments to observe your jaw in its resting position to see if there is any misalignment of your bite. TMJ is often misdiagnosed- if you have been experiencing headaches, pain or tingling in the arms, neck or shoulders, a "popping" sound in the jaw, or an increase in chipped or broken teeth, call Dr. Schaffer for a consultation for TMJ treatment.

How can Dr. Schaffer help my TMJ symptoms?

The first step in treating TMJ symptoms is to lessen the pain. Dr. Schaffer may use electrical stimulation to gently massage the muscles, which helps to relax them. He may also give you a removable device that will help guide your teeth into alignment and keep your jaw in position.

My friend told me that ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can indicate TMJ. Is this true?

Yes. Ringing in the ears may be a result of malocclusion (bad bite) meaning that your jaws are not aligned properly. Dr. Schaffer can determine whether your jaws are misaligned and whether that is the cause of your tinnitus.

Sometimes when I move my jaw, I hear a popping noise. Does that mean I have TMJ?

That popping noise is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ. It occurs when the cartilage in your jaw joint (known as the Temporomandibular Joint) is in the wrong position, which causes the ball and socket of the joint to rub against each other. Dr. Schaffer can evaluate your jaw's alignment to see if your popping is caused by TMJ. If so, he will come up with a course of TMJ treatment to ease the jaw back into place.

General Dentistry Before and Afters

Dr. Joel L. Schaffer provides TMJ Treatment in Boulder, CO. This website is for information purposes only and is not designed to, and does not provide dental or medical advice. The content is not intended to substitute advice from a trained professional. His office serves dental patients from the Boulder and Denver, Colorado area.

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