Tailored Support for Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain
At Sandygate we provide a wide variety of treatments to best suit you and your overall health and wellbeing. With this in mind, we have introduced dedicated bruxism and jaw pain assessments. This is useful for anyone who is prone to teeth grinding and clenching, whether it is causing damage to your teeth or giving rise to jaw pain. These appointments are designed for patients who have already seen a dentist for routine dental care and have been advised to seek bespoke advice for their teeth grinding/jaw pain.
TMJ
Your jaw joints, in front of your ears, are called the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ). It is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your head.
You can think of the joint as a ball and socket joint – it is a unique joint as it also slides as you open and close your mouth and is the most constantly used joint in the body. The ‘Disc’ is responsible for clicking and ‘popping’ sounds. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a common condition which affects the joint, disc, muscles and/or ligaments of the TMJ. TMD can be either muscular in origin, joint in origin, or in some individuals the muscles and joint may both be affected. The symptoms include:
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Popping, clicking or grating of your jaw point
- Pain from the jaw area, or generalised discomfort or jaw ache
- Headaches and pain of your jaw muscles
- Earache and Tinnitus – ears may feel ‘full’
Bruxism
Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) can have a detrimental effect on the jaw joint, as well as damaging the teeth. In some cases, there may be no pain or symptoms however the teeth may be significantly worn down, and cracks may develop in the teeth.
There is no single “cause” of TMD. Many different biological, psychological and social factors interplay in an individual resulting in pain. Similarly, there are many conditions which present more commonly in individuals with TMD than those without TMD e.g., Anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, irritable bowel syndrome and migraine.
How does the assessment work?
Your appointments will be with Dr Jenny Dorward, and she provides a full assessment for your jaw pain and/or teeth grinding issues. She will discuss your medical and social history, assess your jaw and bite, and provide a bespoke treatment plan for you. Treatments for bruxism and jaw pain include occlusal appliances, masseter muscle injections, and more.
Please note, this is not a full dental examination, and it is recommended to have an oral health assessment first to eliminate any dental origins of pain.
Ready to get started?
At just £50 for your initial assessment, we’re ready to get your bruxism and jaw pain under control.
Masseter injection treatment
Occlusal splints
starts from £193