tmj

Do you suffer from pain in the jaw, face, neck, or upper back? Have repeated attempts at treatment failed to put an end to your chronic headaches? Your orofacial pain may be caused by TMJ.

What is TMJ?

TMJ, short for tempromandibular joint disorder, refers to any one of a body of problems affecting the tempromandibular joints – the joints connecting the upper and lower jaw. Most TMJ disorders stem from poor tooth or jaw alignment causing tension in the muscles of the head and neck. Because the symptoms of TMJ can be common to a lot of other problems, and because TMJ disorders are complex, this condition can be quite difficult to diagnose. Luckily, Dr. Joseph Cavallo has advanced postgraduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ.

Causes of TMJ

Almost anything that negatively affects the alignment of your jaw can cause TMJ.

• Head or neck trauma
• Slipped discs
• Arthritis
• Malocclusion (poor jaw alignment)
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Poor dental work in the past

Symptoms of TMJ

• Face, head, neck, and shoulder pain
• Increased tension in the jaw
• Limited jaw mobility
• Jaw popping and clicking
• Tooth clenching or grinding
• Chronic headaches or migraines

Treatment

Diagnosis

The first step of treatment is proper diagnosis. Because each case of TMJ is different, correctly identifying your problem areas is very important. Dr. Cavallo will first collect a detailed description of our symptoms and perform an exam of your jaw muscles. Advanced technology will be used to analyze the popping and clicking of your jaw, test your range of motion, and analyze pressure points in your bite.

Correction

To alleviate many of the common symptoms of TMJ, a custom mouthguard can help hold the jaw in proper alignment and cushion the teeth against clenching or grinding. In some cases, the improved alignment of a mouthguard could completely eliminate your TMJ symptoms. Other patients may require bite correction, or occlusal equilibration. The vast majority of TMJ disorders are caused by a poor bite, and correcting the bite could cure your TMJ entirely.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have been living with chronic head or neck pain, there may be a cure. TMJ treatment could be the answer to your problems and improving you quality of life. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph P. Cavallo in Woodbridge, VA, contact our office online or at (703) 493-1203 today.

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the upper and lower jaw. The temporomandibular joint allows you to speak and chew without restriction. When there is dysfunction in the TMJ, you may hear Dr. Cavallo refer to it as TMD (temporomandibular disorder).

Although there is not a direct cause for TMD, certain factors may contribute to the development of TMD. Factors linked to TMD may include:

• Teeth grinding or clenching of the teeth
• Arthritis
• Trauma to the head, neck, or face
• Malocclusion
• Changes in the hormones or an imbalance of hormones
• Stress

About TMJ Disorder

For some patients, TMD may cause slight discomfort; for other patients, TMD may result in painful or uncomfortable symptoms. Statistically, TMD can be difficult to diagnose because TMD symptoms may mimic other health concerns.

Common symptoms of TMD:

• Lockjaw
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the face
• Clicking or popping sound when opening or closing the jaw
• Tenderness or pain associated with moving the jaw
• Discomfort or pain in the face, jaw joint, neck, shoulders, or near the ears

Diagnosing TMD

Dr. Joseph Cavallo has undergone extensive postgraduate training for TMJ disorder and other complex bites disorders. Dr. Cavallo offers personalized solutions to treat patients with TMJ disorder. Dr. Cavallo will review your medical history and perform a full comprehensive exam before recommending the appropriate treatment.

Dr. Cavallo will also perform a full bite analysis to determine if there is an imbalance in the bite. During the bite analysis, Dr. Cavallo utilizes a machine called an articulator. An articulator It is a records your biting/chewing motion on a device that mimics your natural jaw movements.

TMJ Disorder Treatment

Your treatment will depend on the severity of your case and the extent of damage the teeth have sustained. The most common treatment solutions are TMJ Mouthguards and Bite Correction Procedures (Occlusal Equilibration). The goal of treatment is to alleviate painful, uncomfortable symptoms and prevent further damage to the teeth and jaw.

Schedule An Appointment

If you are seeing relief from TMJ pain, schedule a visit to our Woodbridge, VA dental office. Der. Cavallo is an experienced dentist in Woodbridge, VA dedicated to improving the health and function of patient smiles. Dr. Cavallo can work with you to find the right treatment for your dental health. To learn more about our services, contact our Woodbridge, VA dental office. To schedule a consultation, call 703.493.1203 or schedule a consultation online.

If you suffer from chronic headaches and facial pain, you may grind your teeth. Also known as Bruxism, teeth grinding can occur while a patient is sleeping or may be caused by stress-related jaw clenching.
What many patients do not realize is that bruxism can cause damage to your teeth and other long-term oral health problems. Woodbridge dentist Dr. Cavallo can spot the signs of teeth grinding and offers comprehensive treatment planning for patients with TMJ related pain.

Dr. Cavallo will work with patients on an individual basis to identify the possible causes for teeth grinding and help build a treatment plan specific to their oral health needs. Tooth grinding and jaw clenching are often a result of an imbalanced bite.

Knowing you grind your teeth may difficult to know as it often occurs during sleep. If you suffer from any the below symptoms on a regular basis, you may grind or clench your jaw. If you do, contact our Woodbridge, VA dentist office to schedule a consultation to prevent further damage to your teeth and gums.

Signs and symptoms of teeth grinding

• Frequent headaches
• Jaw and/or neck pain
• Chipped or damaged teeth
• Worn, flat looking teeth
• Frequent ear pain, fullness

Treatment Options for Teeth Grinding

Dr. Cavallo offers treatment options for teeth grinding. Custom fit mouthguards are often used during sleep to realign the jaw and protect the teeth from further damage. Many patients who use custom sleep guards experience almost immediate relief of their facial pain.

For some patients, crooked teeth or misaligned bites can cause grinding or clenching. Invisalign can help realign their teeth and jaw to help eliminate bruxism and related discomfort. Dental crowns and tooth bonding can be effective cosmetic dental treatments for bringing the bite into alignment to relieve pain and protect teeth.

Schedule A Consultation

If you suspect or know, that you clench or grind your teeth, contact our Woodbridge dentist office. Dr. Cavallo can help you restore your smile and protect it from future damage. Stopping your bruxism may relieve daily aches and pains and improve your quality of life.

Do you suffer from intense, constant jaw tension or pain? Do you get frequent unexplained headaches?

If you often feel tenderness or pain in the jaw, ear and neck region, you may be suffering from a TMJ disorder. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint disorder and refers to a wide variety of issues causing dysfunction in your bite. Woodbridge dentist Dr. Joseph Cavallo is highly trained in the diagnosis of TMJ disorders. He offers comprehensive treatment options and can offer you an individualized treatment plan to alleviate your chronic jaw pain.

TMJ is a complex disorder that requires accurate diagnostics and specialized treatment for results that last and support a comfortable bite. Symptoms vary in severity and can progress over time. Soreness in the face muscles, severe headaches stemming from the jaw region, painful ear aches, tension in the neck, shoulders and face, and popping of the jaw are all common complaints that indicate a problem in the jaw joint or bite. There is no “one size fits all” answer to what causes TMJ.

What Causes TMJ?

TMJ Risk Factors include:
Stress
Teeth Clenching
Trauma to the Jaw muscle
Poorly balanced dental work
Hormonal changes
Malocclusion – bite problems due to jaw misalignment

How Can I Treat TMJ

The first step in treating your TMJ is to schedule an appointment with Woodbridge dentist Dr. Cavallo. Dr. Cavallo. Highly trained and experienced in TMJ diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Cavallo will conduct a comprehensive TMJ evaluation. By creating a detailed dental health history, and understanding your unique TMJ symptoms, Dr. Cavallo can work with you to create an individualized treatment plan.

TMJ Evaluation

Oral Health History: Dr. Cavallo will collect your dental health history to understand any trauma or improper care you may have received
Clinical Examination: Dr. Cavallo will examine muscles in your lower jaw, using Doppler Auscultation Instrument to evaluate popping in temporomandibular joint.
Load Test: A load test will be conducted to test for any tension or tenderness and range of motion to determine joint mobility. MRI or X-Rays may be taken.
Analysis: Upper arch of teeth and jaw joints relationship will be determined. Dr. Cavallo will use registration wax to mold how the upper and lower jaw and teeth meet.

Once the evaluation is complete Dr. Cavallo will discuss what dental procedures are most suitable for you. The goal of treatment is to balance the bite.

If you think you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, schedule a visit with Dr. Cavallo in our Woodbridge dentist office.

Teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism, often goes unnoticed by patients because it typically occurs at night during sleep. Some patients may clench their teeth when feeling stressed without realizing it and this can also have detrimental effects on dental health.

Woodbridge dentist Dr. Cavallo can spot the signs of teeth grinding during routine dental care visits and work with patients to identify possible causes as well as how to prevent it- and thus prevent further damage. Tooth grinding and jaw clenching are often key signs that there is an imbalance in the bite that needs to be addressed to restore oral health and prevent teeth grinding, clenching and their side effects.

Signs and symptoms of teeth grinding

• Frequent headaches
• Jaw and/or neck pain
• Chipped or damaged teeth
• Worn, flat looking teeth
• Frequent ear pain, fullness

Dr. Cavallo offers treatment options for teeth grinding designed to restore oral health and reduce related symptoms, some of which can affect daily life. He may recommend the use of a custom fit mouthguard, frequently worn at night, to eliminate pressure on jaw joints and reduce teeth grinding.

For patients with damaged teeth or an imbalance in the bite, restorative procedures may be recommended to repair and realign teeth and resolve bruxism. Dental crowns, tooth bonding and even orthodontics can be effective treatments for bringing the bite into alignment and preserving the integrity of a patient’s natural smile for the long run.

If you are concerned that you may be grinding your teeth or have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, come in for a visit with us in our Northern Virginia dentist office. Left untreated, bruxism can even lead to tooth loss!

Restore your dental health and preserve your smile for a lifetime!

Frequent headaches, jaw pain, ear pain and a popping jaw that can make chewing difficult are all possible symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), usually referred to as TMJ.

Patients who suffer from any or all of the above symptoms may not realize that they have a bite disorder until they visit with Dr. Cavallo in Woodbridge. Dr. Cavallo takes a comprehensive approach to all patients, seeking to understand the underlying cause of any dental health problems before recommending a treatment plan to address symptoms. Dr. Cavallo, a restorative and cosmetic dentist serving the Northern Virginia area, has extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of bite disorders such as TMJ.

Dr. Cavallo offers several TMJ therapy treatment options for patients diagnosed with TMJ, including splint therapy and oral appliance therapy. In many cases, these conservative treatments can address symptoms and help to restore balance in the bite by preventing teeth grinding and jaw clenching- often the underlying cause of recurring headaches and jaw pain in many patients.

For patients who have sustained damage to the teeth due to the effects of TMJ, Dr. Cavallo may recommend a restorative treatment to realign the bite by adjusting the surface of the teeth or repairing damaged teeth. This could be accomplished with tooth bonding, dental crowns, veneers or other restorative procedures.

The goal of TMJ therapy is to restore balance to a patient’s bite, thus alleviating pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and relieving the associated symptoms. This is important for maintaining optimal dental health and avoiding further dental health issues which can arise when TMJ is left untreated.

If you have been suffering with any of the above mentioned symptoms, contact Dr. Cavallo in his Woodbridge dentist office and begin to restore your oral health!