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Archive for category: TMD and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Enjoy Chronic Headache Relief with Treatment for Conditions like TMD

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Drs. Hiebert and Smith of the Saint Helens, OR area is here to help patients in the community with achieving and maintaining oral health and wellness. But dental care goes beyond cavities and periodontal disease. Some patients have dental concerns that can impact them in other ways, including those who are struggling with chronic headaches from TMD.

What is TMD?

TMD is an acronym for temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition can become incredibly painful and debilitating for those who have moderate to severe cases. The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint. It is the joint that hinges the upper and lower part of the mouth allows patients to speak, eat, and yawn. However, it can become dysfunctional and result in several troublesome symptoms, including:

  • Locking of the jaw in the open or closed position
  • Clicking and popping of the jaw
  • Chronic headaches and migraines
  • Pain from the head down through the neck and shoulders
  • Discomfort around the jaw joint with or without the muscles

When patients have been diagnosed with TMD, they may be unsure as to the ways in which they can alleviate the symptoms and improve their quality of life. Drs. Hiebert and Smith of Hiebert Smith Dental Group may make a recommendation of oral appliance therapy. This is a treatment that uses a specialized mouthguard for the smile that can help in reducing tension and pain caused by the condition. It can provide a better solution than pain medication alone, which can just mask the symptoms and not really address the problem at the source. Our team can also suggest neuromuscular exercises and other treatments that can address TMD issues effectively and affordably.

Schedule a visit with Hiebert Smith Dental Group today

Have you been struggling with pain around the jaw area? Do you suffer from chronic headaches and migraines and think they might be related to the issues with your jaw? You may be dealing with TMD and can seek treatment with our team. Call Drs. Hiebert and Smith of Saint Helens, OR at (503) 397-6144 and take the time to educate yourself on the advantages of treatment for this and other dental health conditions.

Non-surgical Treatment for Patients Diagnosed with TMJ/TMD

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When patients are experiencing problems with their jaw, they may be diagnosed with a condition known as TMJ or TMD. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, and TMD is the disorder associated with its malfunction.

What are the symptoms of TMJ/TMD?

This condition is often characterized by some of the following symptoms:

• Cracking and popping of the jaw joint

• Locking of the joint in the open or closed position

• Pain surrounding the jaw joint

• Pain and stiffness down to the shoulders and up to the ears

• Chronic headaches and migraines

To get a proper diagnosis, it is essential that patients visit a provider that offers neuromuscular dentistry. These professionals are well-versed in the signs of TMJ/TMD and can also provide effective treatment once it has been diagnosed. Diagnosis can occur with an explanation of the symptoms, an x-ray, and a physical examination. Once patients are diagnosed, then they can work with a dental professional to learn about treatment options.

Do I need surgery?

Unless the TMJ/TMD is severe, most patients can avoid requiring surgery to fix the jaw joint. Nowadays, patients can achieve results with oral appliance therapy. Drs. Hiebert and Smith at Hiebert Smith Dental Group are proud to offer oral appliance therapy for TMJ/TMD patients who are interested in a non-invasive treatment option.

Understanding oral appliance therapy

In many situations, it can be essential to realign the jaw alignment to reduce the symptoms of TMJ/TMD. To do this, a unique device similar to a mouth guard can be worn by the patient. It also helps protect the natural teeth from unwanted wear and tear due to poor bite alignment or coexisting conditions such as bruxism. Many patients find relief by regular wear of their oral appliance.

Want to learn more about neuromuscular dentistry?

Drs. Hiebert and Smith of Saint Helens, OR work with patients who have been diagnosed with conditions such as TMJ/TMD to provide solutions that eliminate the need for surgical intervention. Oral appliance therapy is just a phone call away! Book an appointment at Hiebert Smith Dental Group today by contacting us at (503) 397-6144 and visiting the office, conveniently located at 1550 Saint Helens Street.

TMD and Neuromuscular Dentistry St. Helens OR

Neuromuscular Dentistry Explained

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Conditions such as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) and bruxism can cause unwanted wear and tear on the natural teeth and dental restorations. In addition, they can cause patients pain and discomfort. These conditions are easily diagnosed with the help of a dental professional such as Drs. Hiebert and Smith, and can be addressed with oral appliance therapy.

Understanding TMD and Bruxism

TMD is the dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. This joint hinges the jaw so it can open and close for speaking and eating. However, sometimes the joint and the muscles around it can become problematic for a patient. The joint and muscles can cause pain, lock, and click. In addition, it often cohabitates with a condition known as bruxism, which is unwanted clenching and grinding of the teeth at night while sleeping. Both conditions can be uncomfortable for patients but they can receive treatment with the help of a dentist at Hiebert Smith Dental Group

Neuromuscular Dentistry Solutions

One of the most popular methods of reducing the tension of the jaw joint and protecting the natural teeth and restorations from damage from bruxism is the use of an oral appliance. Oral appliance therapy is ideal because it is a solution that patients can easily access and it is comfortable. Patients wear these plastic mouth guards in the mouth while they sleep, or during the day for severe cases, to protect the teeth and realign the jaw properly. It also relieves tension that is a result of these conditions, cushioning the jaw joint appropriately. Most patients with these conditions can ask about oral appliance therapy as a solution to their problem. With severe cases, surgery is often the only solution.

Find out If Neuromuscular Dentistry Can Help You!

If you have been diagnosed with conditions such as TMD or bruxism, you may want to find out more about neuromuscular dentistry and how it can help improve your quality of life and address pain and discomfort. Call the office today at (503) 397-6144 and schedule an appointment at the practice, conveniently located at 1550 Saint Helens Street in Saint Helens, OR.

TMD Treatments Can Reduce Flareups and Improve Quality of Life | St. Helens, OR

TMD Treatments Can Reduce Flareups and Improve Quality of Life

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If you’re living with temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ, you may be troubled by frequent flareups in symptomology. One of the aspects of TMD also referred to as TMJ or TMJ Disorder is that many people are living with this condition and its uncomfortable symptoms without any awareness that their pain could be related to the structure of their jaw. Here, we’d like to discuss TMD, what causes it, and how we can help you restore more comfort and ease to your life with appropriate treatment.

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a structure at the back of each side of the mouth. It is a joint that connects the jaw and the skull; a joint that enables you to speak and chew. Around this joint, there are muscles and tendons that support oral movements. Sometimes, these structures lose the ability to function together as needed for a full range of motion and comfort.

A TMD flareup describes the occurrence of heightened pain or other symptoms. Some of the common effects of dysfunctional TMJ include:

  • Jaw pain
  • Head, neck, and shoulder pain (including migraines)
  • Sensitive or sore teeth
  • Limited ability to open the mouth fully
  • Lockjaw
  • Ear pain or ringing in the ears

What May Help a TMD Flareup

One of the best ways to handle a flareup of pain related to TMJ Disorder is to recognize why pain occurs in the first place. For some people, it could be that they grind or clench the jaw when stress is not adequately managed. Sometimes, chewing certain foods causes the jaw to work too hard, resulting in pain. Symptoms may be relieved with over-the-counter medication, by applying ice to the jaw for about 20 minutes, and with lifestyle modifications that reduce stress on the jaw – and on the mind.

How your Neuromuscular Dentist Can Help

Ultimately, lifestyle modifications and medication are mere aspects of a comprehensive treatment plan for TMD. At Hiebert Smith Dental Group in St. Helens, OR, we look beyond symptom-relief and seek to understand where dysfunction originates. Our training in neuromuscular dentistry affords us the insight to fully observe oral structures by placing them in a relaxed state. It allows us to customize treatment on individual oral anatomy, and use a multidimensional approach to achieve an optimal outcome.

Schedule a Consultation

TMD symptoms can improve with oral appliances like night guards. However, there is also value in exploring the use of dental crowns, orthodontics, and other modalities to bring the jaw into better alignment.

Contact our office at (503) 397-6144 to learn more about treatment for TMD.