Your Office for Bruxism and TMJ Treatment in Strathcona, Edmonton

Whether you've been dealing with clenching/grinding symptoms for years or recently began experiencing them, it's crucial you receive treatment that gives you the pain relief you deserve. At North Whyte Dental, our dental team has the skills and experience to effectively diagnose and treat bruxism and mild TMJ disorders.

From addressing your symptoms with splints or BOTOX®, we offer personalized treatment options to suit your needs. Dr. Jeff Jess and his staff look forward to meeting you and helping you take the first step toward a comfortable and pain-free life. Call or visit our office today to schedule your next appointment and get the treatment you need!

CALL US: (780) 433-0446 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

What is the difference between TMD and Bruxism?

Your temporomandibular joint is a special type of hinge joint that connects your jaws to your skull's temporal bones. The joints work with your facial muscles to allow the movements needed to talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder or TMD, is a disorder marked by pain and discomfort in your jaw points, while Bruxism is the involuntary and often unconscious act or grinding or clenching teeth.

Our dental team is here to provide you with an accurate diagnosis, and if you experience one or multiple symptoms, we recommend that you visit our office. Here are some symptoms we look at to make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan:

• Frequent headaches: Both can cause severe and chronic headaches that typically occur in the morning. Soreness in the temporalis (above the ears) or masseter (along lower jaw) muscles is usually from bruxism. 
• Popping or clicking jaws: If you hear a popping or clicking sound when you open or close your mouth, it may be a sign that the disc inside your jaw joints has shifted out of position. This is frequent with TMD, however tight mastication muscles can cause joint displacement as well.
• Worn or broken teeth: When you're constantly clenching or grinding your teeth outside of normal function it can cause extra pressure on your teeth that can wear them out or break them altogether. If a tooth is cracked too severely, the only option is removal.

Common Treatment Options

When you visit our practice for the first time, Dr. Jess will begin by conducting an extensive exam to determine if you're suffering from TMD or Bruxism. By using diagnostic techniques as well as asking you questions, Dr. Jess can get a better sense of the source of your facial pain.

Once he has the information he needs, he'll explain which treatment option he thinks will be right for you. For more severe symptoms, we may need to refer to a specialist. Treatment options include, but are not limited to:

• Oral Appliances & Splints: Our office is proud to offer custom-made oral appliances and bite splints, which are plastic devices that fit over your upper or lower teeth. They're designed to absorb the abuse and wear of overfunction and even the bite so you can't focus on an individual tooth or area. This evening out of the bite helps relieve stress on your jaw joints and alleviates muscle tension.
• BOTOX: One of the most popular and safe applications for BOTOX is treating muscular pain and discomfort. Applying BOTOX to your strained facial muscles can relieve tension caused by teeth grinding or other forms of stress. We'll administer injections in your facial muscles (usually the masseters) to help address your pain.

Edmonton Bruxism/TMJ Treatment for You

At North Whyte Dental, we know how much facial pain can negatively impact your quality of life. That's why we leverage our experience and skills to offer our patients quality treatment, ranging from oral appliances to BOTOX injections. You can rest assured Dr. Jeff Jess and his team will work to determine the source of your discomfort and give you pain relief to live your life to the fullest. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment!

CALL US: (780) 433-0446 REQUEST APPOINTMENT