Neo Dental - Ancaster

TMJ Therapy in Ancaster

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint and TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. TMJ and TMD are both often used to describe the conditions affecting the muscles, nerves and joints of the jaw.
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Can You Eliminate My Headaches?

Neo Dental - How Can You Eliminate My Headaches

If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may seem normal to you. The truth is, jaw pain is far from normal and may be a symptom of a condition called TMD from one or both of your TMJs. Those are the joints of your lower jaw, called TemporoMandibular Joints. When disease or misalignment occurs, the TMJ and surrounding area becomes inflamed — which is what causes pain and other symptoms.

What are the signs of TMJ disorder (TMD)?

  • Headaches
  • Earaches, tenderness around the ear
  • Face or jaw pain and tenderness
  • Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
  • Difficulty chewing, yawning or opening your mouth

How do we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder?

Diagnosis

Treatment of TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical examination, to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will check for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If the disorder is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.

Treatment and Relief

Our treatment application involves bite splints, which are custom-created plastic mouthpieces, designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These type of devices prevent the grinding and clenching that often causes or worsens TMD. The splint also realigns the jaw, removing stress on the surrounding area.

Alternative Treatment Options

If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are the cause of your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite is placing undue pressure on the TMJ’s, we may suggest reshaping individual teeth to redistribute the bite force evenly.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed we refer to that as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD for short.
Signs or symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth, and a clicking, popping, crunching or grinding noise when you chew, yawn or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches.
TMD is caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries and joint disease, such as arthritis. It’s believed that bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and head or neck muscle tension may make TMD symptoms worse. Stress is also a possible factor. However, it is not clear if stress causes TMD or is a result. Other things that may lead to TMDs are partial or full dentures that are not the right fit and certain habits such as fingernail biting and pen or pencil biting. As you can see, there are an array of different causes which makes TMD hard to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms are to book an appointment.
There are many possible causes of headaches. No doctor will be able to determine the cause of your headache without a physical examination.
Most often, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non-invasive treatments and therapies. In very rare circumstances, TMD may require surgery. Your health and happiness are both important to us. We will always present you with all of your options, work through the safest and easiest options first, and give you the final decision on what happens next.

What Our Patients Are Saying

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Very Happy with the Staff and the Office

High Praise for Neo Dental

    Google verified patient reviews

    Parshin Missaghi
    4 months ago
    I've been a patient at Neo Dental for several years and can truthfully say that Steve is the BEST dentist I've ever had. Him and his team have taken such good care of me and anyone I've recommended to his clinic. He's a wealth of knowledge, gentle, kind and just an awesome guy! We're so happy to have found him and his team. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking for a life-long dentist.
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    I love going to this dentist. It’s a small office and you get one on one attention. Friendly knowledgeable, know you by your name. Previously went to a dental office that on 2 occasions called my home to leave a message that I didn’t show up , meanwhile I was sitting in waiting room. It is such a nice change.
    More
    Amanda Hammill
    3 months ago
    Dr. Steve is the best dentist I've ever had, and as an older adult I've had many in my life. Everyone in the dental clinic is friendly, professional, and go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and valued as a client.
    More
    I recently had the pleasure of visiting Neo Dental for some much-needed dental work, and I can honestly say that it has been a life-changing experience! From the moment I stepped into their modern and inviting practice, I was greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. The team at Neo Dental demonstrated unmatched professionalism and expertise throughout my entire treatment journey. They took the time to carefully listen to my concerns and thoroughly explain every step of the procedure, ensuring that I felt comfortable and well-informed throughout. The quality of the dental work I received was truly extraordinary. The dentists at Neo Dental exhibited exceptional skill and precision, leaving no room for any discomfort or uncertainty. Not only did they address my initial dental concerns, but they also went above and beyond to enhance the overall quality of my bite. Since completing my dental treatment at Neo Dental, I have experienced a remarkable improvement in my quality of life. No more migraines! It's truly amazing how a simple visit to Neo Dental has transformed my day-to-day life. I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to the entire team at Neo Dental for their exceptional care, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering outstanding results. Their dedication to patient satisfaction is truly commendable and sets them apart from other dental practices in the area. If you are seeking a dental practice that combines unmatched expertise, a friendly and welcoming environment, and life-changing results, look no further than Neo Dental. They have my highest recommendation, and I am confident that they will exceed your expectations, just as they did mine.
    More
    Marie Phillips
    5 months ago
    Dr Steve and his staff have provided an atmosphere of comfort and calm. They truly care about your experience and it doesn’t feel like you’re “just a patient”. On top of outstanding dental care and attention is the added bonus of seeing the Dr’s artwork!
    More
    Parshin Missaghi
    4 months ago
    I've been a patient at Neo Dental for several years and can truthfully say that Steve is the BEST dentist I've ever had. Him and his team have taken such good care of me and anyone I've recommended to his clinic. He's a wealth of knowledge, gentle, kind and just an awesome guy! We're so happy to have found him and his team. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking for a life-long dentist.
    More
    I love going to this dentist. It’s a small office and you get one on one attention. Friendly knowledgeable, know you by your name. Previously went to a dental office that on 2 occasions called my home to leave a message that I didn’t show up , meanwhile I was sitting in waiting room. It is such a nice change.
    More
    Amanda Hammill
    3 months ago
    Dr. Steve is the best dentist I've ever had, and as an older adult I've had many in my life. Everyone in the dental clinic is friendly, professional, and go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and valued as a client.
    More
    I recently had the pleasure of visiting Neo Dental for some much-needed dental work, and I can honestly say that it has been a life-changing experience! From the moment I stepped into their modern and inviting practice, I was greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. The team at Neo Dental demonstrated unmatched professionalism and expertise throughout my entire treatment journey. They took the time to carefully listen to my concerns and thoroughly explain every step of the procedure, ensuring that I felt comfortable and well-informed throughout. The quality of the dental work I received was truly extraordinary. The dentists at Neo Dental exhibited exceptional skill and precision, leaving no room for any discomfort or uncertainty. Not only did they address my initial dental concerns, but they also went above and beyond to enhance the overall quality of my bite. Since completing my dental treatment at Neo Dental, I have experienced a remarkable improvement in my quality of life. No more migraines! It's truly amazing how a simple visit to Neo Dental has transformed my day-to-day life. I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to the entire team at Neo Dental for their exceptional care, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering outstanding results. Their dedication to patient satisfaction is truly commendable and sets them apart from other dental practices in the area. If you are seeking a dental practice that combines unmatched expertise, a friendly and welcoming environment, and life-changing results, look no further than Neo Dental. They have my highest recommendation, and I am confident that they will exceed your expectations, just as they did mine.
    More
    Marie Phillips
    5 months ago
    Dr Steve and his staff have provided an atmosphere of comfort and calm. They truly care about your experience and it doesn’t feel like you’re “just a patient”. On top of outstanding dental care and attention is the added bonus of seeing the Dr’s artwork!
    More
      Neo Dental - Ancaster

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      Call 289-204-1782