TMJ Treatment Specialist
The pain and discomfort of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) has a solution. Dr. Maryam Haeri Maybodi at Ocean Breeze Dental Spa has a number of treatment options available for her Laguna Niguel, California patients. Drawing from over 2 decades of experience, she can provide workable solutions to jaw pain and sleeping discomfort common with TMJ.
“I highly recommend Dr. Haeri as a dentist. She is the BEST dentist I’ve ever had.”
TMJ Treatment Q & A
by Maryam Haeri-Maybodi, DDS
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint in the jaw. TMJ disorder is a disorder of this joint causing pain, feelings that the jaw is stuck, misalignment of the mouth and teeth, and headaches.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
If you experience these symptoms call Dr. Haeri Maybodi for your appointment.
What causes TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder is a complex disorder with many potential causes. Many patients who have TMJ struggle with grinding their teeth. This action, which often happens at night, can cause damage to the jaw joint. Damage to the jaw from a blow or other impact, damage from arthritis, and damage from erosion to the disc in the jaw also cause the condition.
How are TMJ and sleep apnea connected?
TMJ disorder is directly connected to a person’s bite position. When the jaw is out of alignment, it affects the alignment of the teeth and tongue. When the tongue isn’t aligned properly, it more easily falls into the airway during sleep. This causes a condition known as sleep apnea. In fact, as many as three-quarters of people with TMJ dysfunction show signs of sleep-disordered breathing, which includes sleep apnea.
How is TMJ treated?
Dr. Haeri Maybodi treats TMJ by finding the underlying cause, and then treating that first. She also helps patients with treating the symptoms so they get relief from their discomfort.
Medications for pain and inflammation are a starting point for treatment. Dr. Haeri Maybodi often has her patients use night guards, devices worn over the teeth while they’re sleeping, to help protect against teeth grinding and also encourage better positioning of the mouth to prevent sleep apnea. Physical therapy, counseling to lessen problem behaviors, surgery, and injections of corticosteroids are also possible treatments.
At Ocean Breeze Dental Spa, Dr. Haeri Maybodi focuses on giving each patient personalized treatment. For those dealing with TMJ discomfort, she’ll create a custom treatment plan to help each patient’s unique physiology and behavior. Contact Dr. Haeri Maybodi for effective relief for TMJ discomfort.