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Sometimes TMJ symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” but did you know that over time these symptoms will do a lot of harm to your jaw joint? The truth is, if you are experiencing any jaw or facial pain, or ringing in your ears, you could be suffering from Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)–also known as TMJ Disorder.
Headaches or migraine headaches are the most common symptoms of TMD / TMJ Disorder; the signs and symptoms include:
Headaches
Ear pain
Clicking and popping of the joint
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Neck pain
Vertigo (dizziness)
Reduced opening (trismus)
Tooth sensitivity
Lockjaw
Untreated TMD is one of the prime underlying factors in eroded jawbones and loose teeth.
What many TMD / TMJ Disorder sufferers are unaware of is that we can often address the root of the above symptoms with a conservative, non-surgical approach. Patients who suffer from TMJ Disorder are typically faced with daily, chronic pain and provided with conventional options.
The comfort and overall well-being of our patients remain at the heart of Robertsdale Dental Care, so pain relief is our first consideration. Dr. Northcutt will test, diagnose, and develop an immediate plan to treat the underlying causes of TMJ disorder.
We provide conservative, non-surgical techniques to address the cause of your TMD, or TMJ Disorder, not only the symptoms. Dr. Jason Northcutt, the founder of Robertsdale Dental Care (1998), completed extensive post-graduate training in advanced dentistry. Additionally, he has invested in advanced technology to help diagnose and provide treatment to help solve the root issue, not just the symptoms.
TMD sufferers report that their symptoms generally worsen during periods of lengthy or sudden stress and that severe outbreaks of the condition can lead to neck pain and dizziness. The most common cause of TMD is the misalignment of the teeth, often called malocclusion or “bad bite.”
The grinding teeth symptom is particularly common and usually occurs at night. The grinding will eventually erode the structure of the teeth and lead to more severe dental problems in the future.
Untreated TMD is one of the prime underlying factors in eroded jawbones and loose teeth.
Here is what we do to diagnose jaw pain and other TMJ Disorder issues:
thoroughly examine your jaw area
examine your occlusion (bite)
take specialized X-rays
review your history
recommend necessary treatment
The first phase of treating TMD involves taking impressions of your teeth, and then precise face and jaw measurements. We then fabricate a customized functional orthopedic stabilization appliance (FOSA) for the patient to wear, and it allows the jaw to rest in a more comfortable and ideal position, stopping the patient from grinding teeth at night.
If the pain related to the TMD resolves after wearing the FOSA appliance, then Dr. Northcutt will discuss the next phase of treatment.
The second phase of TMD treatment involves making changes to the shape of the teeth and treating the malocclusion, often called “realignment.”
Realignment is especially useful because it alleviates TMD symptoms, helps to keep a patient's jaw in a more relaxed position, and may improve the aesthetic appearance of one's teeth as well. Realignment involves adjusting the relationship between how the upper teeth come together with the lower teeth. It may involve crowns, braces or other forms of dental treatment.
The most common cause of TMD is the misalignment of the teeth, or “bad bite.”
Dr. Jason Northcutt is a lifelong resident of Alabama. He graduated from Haleyville High School in 1989 and continued his education at Auburn University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1993. Following Auburn, Dr. Northcutt attended the University of Alabama School of Dentistry from 1994-1997 and completed his dental degree.
He continues to learn more every year through lectures and advanced continuing education classes. Dr. Northcutt is a member of the The American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and the South Baldwin Dental Study Club. He received his Sedation Certification in 2004 from the University of Alabama Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Most of all, Dr. Northcutt brings kindness and understanding to dental medicine, helping to restores patients' confidence, achieve better health and happiness.
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Relief from your dental issue and from the anxiety that often accompanies dental problems is at the heart of Robertsdale Dental Care.
Our hygienists and dental assistant staff have an average of 15 years of experience. Including the doctors, we have a combined 236 years of dental health practice.
Our dental assistant staff and hygienists have an average of 15 years of experience. Including the doctors, we have a combined 236 years of dental health practice.
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