Causes of TMD:
- Bruxism: Repetitive unconscious clenching or grinding of teeth, often at night.
- Trauma: Injuries from motor vehicle accidents (such as whiplash), fights, sports injuries, or oral surgery procedures.
- Bite Issues: Dental fillings or crowns that feel “too high” and alter the bite, open bite (commonly seen in mouth breathers), or crossbites.
- Habits: Excessive gum chewing, nail biting, or eating hard and crunchy foods.
- Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degeneration of the articular disc, recurrent fibrous dysplasia, and/or ankylosis.
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Chronic pain affecting the jaw muscles.
TMD Signs and Symptoms:
TMD Signs and Symptoms:
- Difficulty or pain when chewing or biting
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Dull, aching pain in the face
- Earache
- Headache (especially upon waking)
- Pain and/or tenderness of the jaw
- Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
- Muscle rigidity or pain when chewing
- Wear and tear on teeth due to bruxism (grinding/clenching)
- Malocclusion (bad bite) due to skeletal deformity, open bite, crossbite, or poorly contoured dental restorations
- Deviation of the jaw toward the affected side in some cases
Diagnosing TMD in Gold Coast
Examination and diagnosis of TMD should include consultation with a Gold Coast dentist and possibly other specialists such as a general practitioner (GP) or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. This helps rule out other conditions like dental infections, ear infections, neuralgias, or nerve-related headaches.
TMD Treatment Options in Gold Coast
Self-Care & Conservative Treatment:
- Soft-food diet
- Avoiding extreme jaw movements (yawning, chewing gum, singing, or taking large bites of food)
- Applying warm compresses to the jaw
- Physiotherapy
- Stress-reducing techniques
Medical & Dental Treatments:
- Short-term use of anti-inflammatory medications
- Muscle relaxant medications or antidepressants
- Corticosteroid injections in the TMJ to reduce inflammation (in rare cases)
- Intra-aural (ear) devices
- Examination and adjustment of high dental restorations or dentures
- Use of occlusal splints
TMD & Muscle Relaxant Injections in Gold Coast
Botulinum Toxin Type A (muscle relaxant) injections into the masseter muscle can help relieve bruxism, reduce jaw pain, and alleviate headaches. The treatment does not affect normal chewing or facial expressions and typically lasts three to four months.
Possible Side Effects:
Most patients experience little to no discomfort. However, strenuous activities should be avoided for the rest of the day.
Mild redness, soreness, or bruising at the injection sites.
In rare cases, muscle relaxant injections can affect facial symmetry, though this is uncommon.
Before Your Appointment:
- Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Ibuprofen), Vitamin E, or fish oil supplements one week before treatment to reduce bruising.
- Eating leafy greens can help boost Vitamin K levels and minimize bruising.
- Plan for social downtime in case of minor bruising after treatment.
After Your Appointment:
- Avoid facial massages or placing pressure on your jaw for 24 hours.
- No facial laser treatments for two weeks post-injection.
You may resume your skincare routine and wear makeup on the same day. - Physical activities can be resumed as usual.
