TMJ & Bruxism Treatment Tarzana CA

Awakening every day with a headache or jaw or neck pain is not normal or healthy. The discomfort is typically a sign that you have a teeth-grinding habit, also known as bruxism. If you have become accustomed to this chronic pain, you may not even realize what a drain it has become on your comfort and the impact it has on your quality of life. 

Dr. Nargiz I. Zadeh provides treatment for TMJ pain and teeth grinding for patients in Tarzana, CA, so you can say goodbye to daily discomfort and get busy enjoying life again. 

Are TMJ and TMD the Same Thing?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw to your upper jaw. As one of the most-used joints in the body, it is susceptible to being overworked—especially if you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep. 

When there is a problem with the way the TMJ functions, we refer to it as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. 

What Does Teeth Grinding Have to Do with TMJ?

It’s easy to see how a TMJ can become overworked when you consider that it controls all the side-to-side and up-and-down movement of your lower jaw. You really don’t appreciate how much work these joints do until they don’t function properly.

Teeth grinding is common, especially when you are feeling anxious or in moments of intense concentration. But chronic teeth grinding is often related to dental bite problems, tooth misalignment, damaged or broken teeth, or tooth loss. You may have nighttime teeth grinding habit, while others are daytime bruxers who grind their teeth all day long. 

Signs of Teeth Grinding and TMJ Problems

If you have TMJ pain or suspect that you have a teeth grinding habit, look for these symptoms: 

• Pain in your TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
• Headaches, including migraines
• Popping or clicking sounds in your jaw
• Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
• Broken teeth and dental wear
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears 

If you are currently dealing with these issues, you are a good candidate for conservative TMJ treatment at our Tarzana dental office. 

Treatment for Teeth Grinding and TMJ Pain

The goal of treating TMJ and bruxism is decreasing your pain, increasing jaw function, and minimizing the impact these conditions have on your day-to-day life. 

First, Dr. Zadeh will perform a thorough examination and take dental x-rays to get an overall picture of your oral health. She always starts with the most conservative treatment approach with the goal of helping you reduce your general stress level. This may involve medication therapy, but a great start that helps many of our patients is meditation.

If you have a nighttime teeth grinding habit, our TMJ dentist will customize a nightguard that fits snugly over your upper teeth. With the guard in place, it is impossible for your upper and lower teeth to meet when you bite down, which relieves the pressure on your TMJ.

TMJ pain may also be related to dental problems that require the following to correct: 

• Replace missing teeth
• Build up teeth that are worn or damaged
• Adjust your dental bite using crowns

Expert TMJ Pain Relief in Tarzana, CA

Life is too short to live with a problem that causes you to miss out on a happy life. Contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zadeh so she can find the solution that helps you.

A Testimonial From Ani, Dr. Nargiz I. Zadeh's Patient in Tarzana, CA

Extremely welcoming and friendly office. Everyone was so helpful and kind. I would definitely encourage anyone in need of dental services to reach out to Dr. Zadeh's office. There are really no words to explain how easy the process was and how pleasant this experience was for me.