The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) act as a hinges that connect your lower jawbone to your temporal bone. They are ball-in-socket joints that allow you to chew, talk, and yawn with ease. TMJ disorders are a group of dysfunctions that cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Dr. Brad Greenfield offers a variety of treatment options for TMJ disorders in our Lake Orion, MI dental office. There is no one cause of TMJ disorders. TMJ disorder can present with several symptoms. Grinding your teeth, dislocating your jaw, arthritis, and frequent jaw clenching are all causes of TMJ disorders. Sufferers of TMJ disorders deal with pain that can last from days to years. Some symptoms associated with TMJ disorders are tenderness of the jaw, pain in and around your ears, difficulty chewing, locking of the joints, jaw clicking or popping, headaches, and facial pain.

What are the causes of TMJ disorders?

The exact causes of TMJ disorders are not always clear. However, most cases fall into just a few categories: myofacial, jaw dislocation, malocclusion, and inflammation of the joints. Myofacial pain is pain that affects the muscles in your jaw. Internal derangement of the jaw occurs when the jaw becomes dislocated. Malocclusion occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly. Arthritis is the group of inflammatory joint disorders that can affect the temporomandibular joints.

Is there a test for it?

TMJ disorders have some signs that are also associated with other dental issues. The dentist will examine your temporomandibular joints to determine if the pain and discomfort you are experiencing directly relates to TMJ disorder. Panoramic x-rays are a tool your dentist may utilize to get a better look at your jaw and jaw joints.  TMJ disorders can happen to anyone, but they are most common in females age 20-40 years old.

What are treatment options?

There are many treatments that can assist in relieving symptoms. Jaw stretching exercises can relax the muscles around the joints, which can deter locking of the joints. Taking medication can reduce muscle pain and swelling. Wearing a mouth guard at night can prevent you from grinding your teeth. An oral splint for TMJ can reposition the jaw joints. Surgery is a rare treatment for TMJ disorders, and considered only after exhausting all other treatment options. These are just a few of several methods your dentist can use.

If you are tired of chronic jaw pain, and want better quality of life, call 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad Greenfield in Lake Orion, MI today.

In the United States alone, over ten million people suffer from a serious issue known as TMJ disorder, or TMD. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we offer treatment to help reduce the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, addresses frequently asked questions about the symptoms and causes of TMD. He will also discuss a common and convenient treatment option.

Frequently Asked Questions About TMD

Question: What is TMJ disorder?

Answer: TMD is a disorder that results from excessive strain placed on the temporomandibular joints. These joints connect the jaw to the skull. The jaw joints control of movement of the jaw, including the actions necessary to eat and speak.

Question: What causes TMD?

Answer: A variety of factors can cause a patient to develop TMJ disorder. The two most common causes are bruxism, or teeth grinding, and bite misalignment. Both of these widespread issues place unnecessary stress on the jaw joints.

Question: What are common symptoms of TMJ disorder?

Answer: Symptoms of TMD include: A popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, face and jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain, migraines and headaches, earaches and tinnitus, and toothaches.

Question: Does my Lake Orion MI general dentist offer treatment for TMD?

Answer: Yes. Dr. Greenfield offers a comfortable and minimally invasive treatment option. This solution addresses both teeth grinding and misalignment. Dr. Greenfield may recommend an intraoral device similar to a night guard. This oral appliance repositions the jaw to correct misalignment and ease jaw strain. The device also prevents the upper and lower teeth from touching, eliminating teeth grinding symptoms.

Schedule a Visit with Your Lake Orion MI General Dentist

Do you suffer from one or more symptoms of TMD? Then call today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion MI general dentist, Dr. Greenfield. At Lake Prion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield offers our patients a holistic approach to general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Our 48360 dental office proudly serves families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

Are you a Clarkston resident in search of quality dental care? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, your Clarkston dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, provides the latest in dental care technology. To help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums, we offer general, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield discusses some of the innovative procedures we offer our Clarkston patients.

Holistic Dentistry

Dr. Greenfield believes in providing minimally invasive holistic dentistry using only biocompatible materials. We offer patients of all ages natural looking and long lasting dental restorations that blend seamlessly with their smiles. Dr. Greenfield also strives to educate our youngest patients on how to maintain good dental health.

Metal-Free Fillings and Crowns

At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield provides tooth-colored composite fillings. Unlike amalgam, or metal, fillings, our composite fillings contain no traces of mercury. Metal fillings have also been known to expand over time, increasing the risks of further damage to your teeth. Dr. Greenfield also provides metal-free CEREC crowns. Breakthrough CEREC technology allows Dr. Greenfield to create and place a custom-made crown in a single visit.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Do want a brighter smile free of embarrassing discoloration? Do cracks or chips mar your teeth? Dr. Greenfield offers state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry to transform smiles and address a variety of dental imperfections. Our cosmetic procedures include:

• At-home and in-office teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Dental bonding

Smile Restoration

For patients with one or more missing teeth, Dr. Greenfield employs an array of restorative dental procedures. With our restorative techniques, your smile can be returned to full function and appearance. Our dental restoration procedures include:

• Dental bridges
• Full and partial dentures
• Implant-retained dentures
• Root canals
• Gum disease treatment
• TMJ disorder treatment

We also offer checkups and cleanings to help maintain good dental health. Checkups allow Dr. Greenfield to watch for the signs of serious dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, and also screen for oral cancer. Early detection enables Dr. Greenfield to provide the appropriate treatment before these issues develop any further.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Clarkston Family Dentist

Interested in the innovative holistic care offered by Dr. Greenfield and our dedicated staff? Make an appointment with your Clarkston family dentist today! Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry  at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

How Does Poor Posture Affect Your Jaw?

Poor posture puts your spine in an unnatural position, creating tension and stress on your spine and back muscles. When you alter your natural upright position, you may not realize that it affects your facial muscles. For example, when you hunch forward, your lower jaw shifts forward and your muscles become unaligned. If your shoulders are uneven, one side of your neck and jaw is pulled downward. When your muscles become unbalanced and unaligned, one side of your face has to work more than the other to attempt to restore natural balance.

Symptoms of Poor Posture

Slouching, hunching, or leaning can cause pain and discomfort that affects your whole body. Try sitting up straight if you notice any of these signs:

• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Earaches
• Jaw pain
• Muscle cramps
• Dizziness
• Toothaches

Proper, straight posture not only relieves muscle tension, but also makes you look more professional, well-mannered, and courteous.

If adjusting your posture doesn’t work to reduce your jaw misalignment, Dr. Greenfield can help correct your muscle imbalances through a non-invasive splint therapy. Repositioning your jaw joints can help relieve your muscle tension and pain. Call Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, Michigan, at (248) 693-6213 to request a posture and TMJ assessment. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

TMJ dysfunction occurs when the temporomandibular (TMJ) joints stop working properly. Connecting the lower jaw to the skull, the TMJ joints allow the jaw to open, close, and move from side to side. When function is inhibited, the nerves and muscles of the face work overtime to compensate, which can lead to a number of painful symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction?

Common symptoms include

• Headaches and pain in the neck and shoulders
• Clicking and popping sounds when the jaw moves
• Jaw pain
• Earaches and ringing in the ears
• Tooth and gum pain from grinding and clenching

What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?

Trauma is a common cause of TMJ Disorder. A major trauma, such as a hit to the face, can damage the cartilage or dislocate the jaw. A form of minor trauma is bruxism, which is the grinding and clenching of the teeth during sleep. The constant stress of bruxism on the jaw muscles, cartilage, and teeth can cause chronic pain and even wear the teeth down. A misaligned bite can be another contributing factor, making common movements such as eating and talking painful. Degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis, can also cause TMJ dysfunction, as inflammation or erosion of the cartilage can overstress the musculature of the face and jaw.

What are the Treatment Options?

In many cases, conservative treatments can help alleviate the painful symptoms.. Our office can fit you with a splint or nightguard that can protect your teeth from being ground down by bruxism and realign the jaw into its proper position. Dr. Greenfield can also repair any teeth that have been worn down and recommend exercises and lifestyle changes to help prevent further damage to the TMJ joints.

If you think you might have TMJ dysfunction, call Dr. Greenfield at Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248) 693-6213  to schedule a consultation.. We serve patients in Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills.

Bruxism is not an easy habit to break. Overcoming bruxism is difficult for those who clench or grind their teeth while awake, but it’s virtually impossible to stop bruxing while sleeping. Fortunately, Dr. Greenfield can help you overcome bruxism, whether you do it during the day or while sleeping.  

Experts cite a few general indicators to explain causes for bruxism.

•  Stress/Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Earache, which may originate from pain in the temporomandibular joint, the jaw joint adjacent to the ear canal. Ironically, the very pain and discomfort from clenching and grinding of one’s teeth can cause pain that leads to clenching and grinding—a vicious circle. TMD, [mistakenly coined as TMJ] temporomandibular disorders, can arise from bruxism.
• Headaches.
• Tooth sensitivity.
• Sleeplessness.
• Jaw pain.

Detrimental effects typically include:

•  Chipped or cracked teeth or dentures.
• Jaw pain or development of TMD disorders. As many as 10% of all people awake to this.
• Chronic headache.
• Limited jaw and facial movement.
• Gum recession.
• Lack of sleep. Very serious health difficulties are born out of sleep debt.
• Negative impact on relationships. Believe it or not, marriages have been known to arise from sleep loss as a result of bruxism.

If you know or suspect that you are affected by bruxism, or if your partner has said you grind your teeth in sleep, please give Lake Orion Family Dentistry a call. Schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Greenfield and begin addressing the problem: (248) 693-6213.

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is often caused by stress, anxiety, tension, misaligned teeth, posture, diet, sleeping habits, and other factors. Constant clenching and grinding of your teeth can also contribute to TMJ dysfunction, which has a long list of side effects associated with pain in the head and neck and wearing down of the teeth.

Believe it or not, getting rid of your bruxism is a lot easier than trying to break the habit. All you need is a nightguard to prevent grinding and clenching. Many types of nightguards are available, and patients react differently to the various styles. If one appliance does not work, another may. In many cases, simply wearing a nightguard as directed by your dentist will eliminate the problem.

Dr. Brad Greenfield is a family dentist in Lake Orion, Michigan and treats patients of all ages for a variety of different dental needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248) 693-6213.

Although these joints are incredibly strong, they can be thrown out of alignment very easily. The temporomandibular joint is highly sensitive to overall physical, emotional, and psychological stress, and the slightest change can temporarily knock the whole system out of balance. The resulting condition is TMJ disorder, which can create a variety of symptoms, from jaw clicking and minor discomfort to sharp pain in your head, ears, neck, and shoulders.

This condition is extremely common among American adults. That’s why I evaluate you for TMJ dysfunction every time you come in for an appointment at Lake Orion Family Dentistry. If a problem is detected, it is my goal to isolate the problem to protect your teeth from further damage, as well as correct underlying bite misalignment.

I may begin by fitting you with a physiologic bite appliance, suggesting ways to alleviate stress, and recommending symptom relief tactics. As a general rule of thumb, TMJ patients should avoid chewing gum or hard, chewy food, take small bites when eating, and alternate chewing between both sides of the mouth. Good nutrition and good posture will also help to relieve discomfort.

I’m Dr. Brad Greenfield, and I know how painful and debilitating TMJ disorder can be. That’s why I’m here to help you overcome the pain and reclaim your life. If you’re ready for relief, don’t hesitate to call my office in Lake Orion, Michigan to schedule an appointment.