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TMJ Treatment – Wakefield, MA

Find Relief from Jaw Pain with Personalized TMJ Treatment

a woman grinding her teeth while she’s sleeping

Every day, we see patients struggling with a common but serious oral health problem called bruxism. This issue, often triggered by stress, involves unconscious teeth grinding that leads to serious oral health problems if it isn’t treated. At Schumacher Dental, our top priority is your comfort and physical and oral health, which is why we’re happy to offer protective occlusal splints for bruxism and TMJ disorder in Wakefield. Call our office today to schedule an examination and learn whether your jaw pain is the result of TMJ disorder.

Why Choose Shumacher Dental for TMJ Treatment?

  • High Level Dentistry at an Affordable Price
  • Partnered with the Best Dental Laboratories
  • Gentle, Compassionate Care for All Ages

What is TMJ Disorder?

a man holding his jaw

TMJ disorder is a condition that impacts the function, comfort, and health of the two jaw joints that allow you to open and close your mouth with ease. When the muscles and joints sustain additional force and tension due to teeth grinding, jaw injuries, or other underlying issues, it can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and impact your daily life.

Our team can assess you for TMJ disorder by asking you about your concerns and conducting a brief examination where we feel your jaw joints as you open and close your mouth. Based on the information we gather, we can diagnose your condition as well as provide you with effective treatment to keep your pain from becoming worse.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

a digital illustration showing a man’s skeleton underneath his skin

TMJ disorder can manifest in a number of ways. This condition often goes misdiagnosed due to the fact that its effects can appear in the head, neck, and even shoulder areas. Some of the symptoms that we keep an eye out for include:

  • Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism
  • Clenching of the teeth throughout the day or during stressful situations
  • Noticeable changes in your bite
  • Pain while biting down or chewing foods
  • Migraines and chronic headaches
  • Aching around the ear
  • Tension in the neck and shoulder areas
  • Lockjaw
  • Clicking and popping of the jaw
  • Pain in the jaw joints and the surrounding muscles
  • Jaw fatigue

Treatment with Occlusal Splints

a nightguard resting against a blue protective case

Based on our thorough examination, we can design a customized treatment plan for you. Oftentimes, especially if our patients are grinding their teeth, we recommend an occlusal splint in Wakefield. This is an orthotic appliance that can be worn at night and is custom-crafted by a dental laboratory to help shield your teeth from each other and shift your jaw into a more comfortable position. As a result, your jaw joints and the muscles surrounding them will withstand significantly less force and tension, helping minimize your TMJ symptoms.