Your jaw is an important part of your oral and overall health. It allows you to chew, speak and smile. When the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles are damaged, it can be painful and cause dysfunction. These disorders are referred to as TMJ or TMD and are often due to dental problems. At Riverwood Dental, we can help you get to the cause of TMJ and offer general dentistry treatments for relief.

TMJ is usually due to excess stress or pressure on the temporomandibular joint, which is actually two joints that allow your jaw to open and slide back and forth. This can be caused by misaligned teeth, excess clenching of the jaw or teeth grinding. Treating the cause of excess stress on the jaw can help the joint and muscles recover and will stop the discomfort. Treatments can include fixing dental issues such as replacing missing teeth, receiving orthodontic treatment or preventing teeth grinding with a dental nightguard.

If you suspect you may have TMJ/TMD, contact Riverwood Dental today to schedule your appointment.