Research suggests that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction affects approximately 10–15% of adults, with women being impacted two to four times more frequently than men. Situated in front of each ear, the TMJs function as hinges connecting the jaw to the skull’s temporal bones, facilitating movements such as chewing, speaking, and swallowing. If you experience chronic jaw pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, or bruxism (tooth clenching/grinding), you may be showing signs of a TMJ disorder.
At Profiles Oral & Facial Surgery Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, FL, and Wellington, FL, we specialize in advanced TMJ treatment to alleviate discomfort and improve your quality of life. Through personalized consultations and comprehensive head and neck evaluations, Dr. Makepeace Charles will determine the most suitable TMJ treatment approach to address your symptoms and restore optimal jaw function.
While factors like trauma, malocclusion, and psychological stress contribute to TMJ dysfunction, they are believed to exacerbate rather than directly cause the condition. Specific individuals predisposed to TMJ disorders may experience pain and functional issues following acute physical or psychological trauma.
Myofascial pain, which involves muscle discomfort controlling jaw movement, accounts for approximately 80% of TMJ cases. The remaining cases are linked to internal joint problems such as a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyles (the rounded ends of the lower jaw). Additionally, patients with degenerative or inflammatory joint diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may also experience TMJ-related symptoms.
If your teeth don’t fit together properly (misaligned bite), the muscles and joints become overworked, leading to painful conditions such as TMJ disorder. Neuromuscular dentistry is an approach to jaw health that focuses on the harmonious relationship between jaw muscles, bones, cartilage, and nerves and how they work together to control jaw positioning and function. Neuromuscular dentistry involves identifying your jaw’s healthy, relaxed position and helping it stay that way through a bite splint or reconstructive dentistry. Focusing on fixing alignment and occlusion ensures your TMJs work in harmony and don’t cause further problems.
We may suggest appliance therapy (night guards) if you have sore muscles, worn teeth, or headaches. The finely customized, therapeutic orthotic device must fit well without movement and provide even contact with individual teeth and no contact on back teeth with side-to-side jaw movement. We carefully monitor you during therapy to ensure the appliance is effective.
Initially, the goal is to help you get comfortable using the appliance to reduce discomfort and ease symptoms. The next objective is to align teeth as evenly as possible when you’re not wearing the night guard. This may sometimes require simple occlusal adjustment and restorative work such as crowns and bridges.
Phone Number:
(561) 622-9065
Address:
2560 RCA Blvd, Suite 102,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone Number:
(561) 622-9065
Address:
24 North Loxahatchee Drive,
Suite 1, Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone Number:
(561) 622-9065
Address:
10115 Forest Hill Blvd, Suite 101,
Wellington, FL 33414
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