Do You Suffer from Jaw Pain? We Can Help!

A strange thing happens sometimes when people are in pain. They take an aspirin and assume it will go away. Sometimes this is true, but if you’re living with chronic jaw pain, it’s unlikely to clear up on its own. There are numerous causes for jaw pain, and at the Arcadia dental office of Kenneth J. Canzoneri, DDS, we are happy to assess your smile and help you find treatment to relieve jaw pain. Dr. Canzoneri, like all dentists, has advanced training and experience that allows him to better understand oral and facial function. This includes the advanced skills necessary to provide jaw pain relief. Pain in the jaw prevents people from performing even the simplest tasks like chewing, speaking, or smiling. Contact our dedicated team right away if you experience jaw pain. This is never normal, and we are always here help!

What Causes Jaw Pain?

Before we begin treatment for jaw pain, Dr. Canzoneri determines the underlying cause. We’ll use visual and manual examination, diagnostic x-rays, and a one-on-one consultation to help us determine the cause of your discomfort. For instance, patients who grind and clench their teeth at night may strain the jaw joints. Sports impact and other traumatic facial injuries often lead to jaw pain or discomfort. During stressful times, patients may experience tightening or pain in various parts of the body including the jaw. Whatever the underlying cause, we have a treatment to help.

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the small connective tissues that attach the jaw and skull bone. When these tiny, sensitive joints are strained or damaged, the result is a group of oral health conditions referred to collectively as TMJ dysfunction. This is one of the main reasons patients experience chronic jaw pain. Let our team know right away if you experience any combination of the following early warning signs of TMJ dysfunction:

• Jaw pain
• Impeded jaw movement
• Grinding or clenching sounds during jaw movement
• Earaches or ringing in ears
• Chronic headaches
• Radiating head, neck, shoulder, and back pain

How We Can Help

There are numerous treatments that may relieve jaw pain. In many cases, these therapies are specific to the underlying cause of jaw pain. Some examples of oral health concerns we treat to restore complete, pain free jaw function include:

• Misaligned teeth – we’ll repair the way the bite fits together to ensure no tooth or section of the smile receives excessive pressure including repairing damage or recommending orthodontic intervention (braces)
• Unconscious jaw movement – we can use nightguards to prevent unnecessary jaw movement during sleep and relieve inflammation and pain that occurs as a result of this nighttime strain
• Muscle spasm – patients who experience these uncontrollable jaw movements may benefit from Botox therapy where we inject the jaw to prevent spasms and other muscle or joint movement