TMJ and jaw pain in South Edmonton
The jaw joint sits directly in front of your ear. It is the most used joint in the body. When the muscles around it are overworked, usually by clenching at night, the result is ache, clicking and headaches that feel like they have nothing to do with teeth.
What happens
How it is looked at, and what usually helps
Almost all of this is managed rather than operated on, and the first steps are the simple ones.
Does this sound familiar
The signs, and why they are confusing
Most people do not arrive saying they have a jaw problem. They arrive with a headache, an earache, or a tooth that hurts and has nothing wrong with it.
What helps at home
Four things worth trying
None of these is a treatment on its own. All of them help while you work out what is going on.
When it is not us
When it needs somebody else
Most jaw pain is dental. Some of it is not, and it is worth knowing which is which rather than working through treatments that were never going to help.
We will tell you which of these you are in at the examination. That includes saying when we are not the right people.
Dr. Gordon Poznikoff
Dr. David Osborne
Dr. Kim Tan
Dr. Siew TanReady to visit?
We're easy to reach.
780-434-8749
In Heritage Square, right next to the IDA Pharmacy
FAQ
What does treatment for jaw pain cost?
We go over the quote with you before any work is done. We bill your insurer directly wherever your plan allows it. We make every attempt to work with your insurer so your plan covers as much as it can, and what a plan finally pays is the insurer's decision. The practice is a registered provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. There is more on fees and insurance.
Is a clicking jaw something to worry about?
Usually not. A click with no pain and no locking is very common and often needs nothing doing at all. It is worth mentioning at a check-up so it is on record, but it is not in itself a reason for treatment.
Will a night guard fix it?
It takes the load off the joint while you sleep, which for most people is where the damage is being done. It manages the effect rather than curing the habit, and for the majority that is enough.
Why does my ear hurt when there is nothing wrong with it?
The jaw joint sits immediately in front of the ear canal, so strain in the joint is felt as earache. It is one of the commonest ways TMJ presents, and it is often treated as an ear problem for a long time first.
Can stress really cause this?
It is the commonest trigger we see. Clenching goes up under stress, at night and at a screen. The jaw does not know the difference between a deadline and a threat.
Do I need a scan?
Usually not to begin with. An examination and the wear on your teeth answer most of it. Imaging becomes useful where the joint is locking or where the first treatments have not helped.