TMJ & TMD Treatment in Alexandria, VA

Do TMJ pain and migraines impact your comfort and ability to enjoy life fully? At LIFE Advanced Integrated Dentistry, we understand and empathize with your discomfort. That is why we offer solutions to help you live a more comfortable, pain-free life.

Dr. Charissa Chin takes an integrative approach to dentistry, which means her goals are to relieve your symptoms and understand the reason behind your pain. She offers comprehensive TMJ pain treatment and solutions supporting oral and overall health and wellness.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a collection of disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. TMD affects up to 12 percent of adults, and symptoms range from head, neck, and jaw pain to difficulty opening and closing your mouth.

The specific cause of TMD can be challenging to diagnose but is commonly associated with a jaw injury, arthritis, or a long-term teeth-grinding habit.

What Does the TMJ Do?

Your TMJ is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. It allows for the up-and-down and side-to-side movement of your lower jaw, enabling you to speak, chew, yawn, and make facial expressions.

TMD occurs when the TMJ and surrounding muscles become damaged or inflamed, leading to pain and limited jaw movement. Some people experience only occasional symptoms, while others experience painful symptoms every day.

TMD or problems with your TMJ can cause numerous symptoms, including:

• Jaw pain or soreness
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Tooth sensitivity or pain
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
• Popping or clicking sounds when moving your jaw
• Facial pain or muscle fatigue
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or earaches

Why Do I Experience TMJ Pain?

Because Dr. Chin understands the interconnected relationship between oral and overall health, her goal is not just to treat symptoms but discover the underlying cause. That’s why, at LIFE A.I.D., treating TMJ pain and symptoms often goes beyond simply prescribing a nightguard to minimize symptoms.

No single TMD treatment method works for everyone, and Dr. Chin will evaluate your oral and overall health and devise an individualized treatment plan. She works with other healthcare professionals as needed to create an approach that addresses both the symptoms and the underlying cause.

What Are My TMD and TMJ Treatment Options?

First, Dr. Chin will perform a thorough assessment of your TMJ. This may include studying your TMJ’s range of motion, taking x-rays, 3-D cone beam CT scans, or collaborating with your physician to take an MRI.

While her goal is to determine the underlying reason for your TMD, an occlusal splint is one solution that provides symptomatic relief. This oral appliance positions the lower jaw to balance and even out your dental bite. This helps relieve pressure on the TMJ because your upper and lower teeth meet evenly.

Some patients find the short-term relief they need with a custom nightguard. We design this device using impressions of your teeth so it fits comfortably. When worn during sleep, it also helps relieve jaw joint pressure, giving it time to rest and recover.

Expert TMJ Pain Relief in Alexandria, VA

Enduring jaw pain, frequent TMJ headaches, and migraines is no way to live. The team at LIFE  A.I.D. understands that these symptoms are debilitating for some and want to help you find relief and restore comfortable jaw function. If you have TMJ pain or any of the symptoms mentioned above, call us at (703) 253-7399 so we can help you. If you are in the surrounding communities, including Franconia, Kingstowne, Springfield, West Springfield, North Springfield, Fairfax, Lincolnia, Annandale, Manassas, and Falls Church we serve you too!