People who suffer from symptoms such as headaches, earaches, tenderness of the jaw muscles, or dull, aching facial pain may suffer from TMD-temporomandibular joint disorders. The muscles and joints may not function properly, resulting in cycles of pain and spasms. These disorders can have a variety of causes and, can be treated. You may also have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Since TMD symptoms (eg, tooth clenching or grinding, headaches, jaw pain or discomfort, clicking, grating, difficulty in closing your jaw) can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important. Dr.Gosch treats TMJ disorders by using a customized nighttime appliance (Nightguard) to give the patient a perfect bite. During the wearing time, the bite is normalized and the muscles begin a relaxation process which repositions the joint into its most natural position. After the nightguard is worn for a period of time (6 weeks) Dr. Gosch adjusts the patients bite so that the teeth are all hitting at the appropriate times. This process is called Equilibration and he has studied the procedure extensively at the Pankey Institute. Please read the patient testimonials under the “Testinominals” section regarding TMJ.
On a temporary basis, Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) can help to reduce inflammation in the jaw. Muscle spasms or muscle tension may be relieved by using moist heat packs on the affected area. A diet of soft foods is recommended.
