TMJ pain and teeth grinding do not have to control your life. Let Dr. Linn customize a simple oral appliance to provide the relief you need.

Do You Grind Your Teeth or Have Pain in Your Jaw?

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TMJ & Bruxism Treatment

Waking up every day with headaches or pain in your neck or jaw is a good indication that you have a teeth-grinding habit, also referred to as bruxism. Chronic pain caused by teeth grinding or TMJ problems is a constant drain on your comfort and spirit that ultimately impacts your quality of life.

You do not have to live with TMJ pain or a destructive teeth-grinding habit. At Platte Canyon Dental, we offer conservative TMJ and teeth grinding treatment for patients in Littleton who want to put an end to their discomfort and compromised quality of life.

The Difference between TMJ and TMD

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, and it is one of the most used joints in the human body. Like any other joint in your body, it can become sore from overuse, especially if you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep.

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, and it is the term dentists use to refer to any dysfunction or pain that involves the jaw joint.

How Are TMJ and Teeth Grinding Related?

The TMJ is a complex joint that controls the up-and-down and side-to-side movement of your lower jaw. We all grind our teeth from time to time, but it usually occurs when we experience stress or are concentrating intently on something.

Chronic teeth grinding, however, is often the result of malocclusion or a “bad” dental bite but can also be related to damaged teeth or tooth loss. Some people grind their teeth only at night, while others may do so throughout the day.

Symptoms of TMJ and Teeth Grinding

Signs to look for that indicate you have a problem with your jaw joint are:

Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
Headaches, including migraines
Pain in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
Trouble opening and closing the jaw
Tooth breakage and dental wear
Ringing in the ears or tinnitus

If you experience any of these symptoms, you may benefit from conservative TMJ treatment at our Littleton, CO dental office. Call us at (303) 797-2286.

How Do You Treat TMJ and Bruxism?

The purpose of TMJ and bruxism treatment is to decrease your pain, increase jaw function, and minimize the impact that TMD has on your everyday life.

The first step in treating TMJ pain in Littleton dental office is for Dr. Linn to conduct a thorough evaluation of your oral health that includes an exam and dental x-rays. Her goal is to start with the most conservative TMJ and teeth grinding treatment, including medication therapy and techniques for reducing your general stress level.

Since teeth grinding commonly occurs during sleep, Dr. Linn will also customize a nightguard for you to wear on your upper teeth while you sleep. A nightguard protects your teeth from the force of grinding and clenching by making it impossible for your upper and lower teeth to contact each other when you bite down.

If we find that your TMJ pain is related to dental problems, Dr. Linn may recommend:

Replacing missing teeth
Building up worn or broken-down teeth
Using crowns to adjust your dental bite

Call Us for TMJ Pain Relief in Littleton

Dr. Linn has helped many patients find relief from teeth grinding and TMJ pain using our conservative approach. Please call Platte Canyon Dental to schedule an appointment to learn more.

Christina is the best!

Christina is the best! I started coming to this dentist over a year ago, when Allison owned the practice. She definitely picked an amazing person to take over the practice! I broke my tooth which now needs a crown. Christina walked me through the whole process. Making sure I felt comfortable. She even gave me a pillow. I have a hard time with Novocaine and she listened me when most don’t.

I barely felt her give me Novocain too. Her dental assistant, Ariel I believe her name is, is super sweet and friendly. I definitely recommend Dr Christina and her whole staff. Just amazing people and you can tell they all truly care. They also offer an in house plan for people that don’t have dental insurance that’s pretty darn good.

- Kate N.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you treat teeth grinding and TMJ pain?

Bruxism or teeth grinding is common, and everyone experiences it from time to time. It’s usually related to stress or intense concentration, and occasional teeth grinding isn’t a problem.

However, many patients suffer from chronic teeth grinding that causes pain and soreness in the TMJ (jaw joint) and can result in excessive dental wear, broken and fractured teeth, and bite problems.

Many people who grind their teeth do so during sleep and are usually not aware of it. They may not realize it’s a problem until our dentist finds signs of worn or damaged teeth during a routine dental exam.

We offer conservative teeth grinding and bruxism treatment at our Littleton dental office that is very effective for preventing dental damage caused by teeth grinding. Referred to as a nightguard or occlusal splint, it fits over your teeth, similar to a sports mouthguard.

The device is customized for you using impressions of your teeth, so it fits your teeth snugly. The nightguard does not stop teeth grinding, but it prevents the upper and lower teeth from contacting each other and absorbs the excessive force.

Dr. Linn uses nightguards to help many of our patients avoid the destructive results of chronic teeth grinding and relieve their TMJ pain. Please call Platte Canyon Dental, located in Littleton, to schedule an appointment so we can help you.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Christina Linn

"Dentistry allows me to improve and maintain the oral health of my patients. Research shows how our oral health can positively or negatively affect our overall systemic health. It's important to me to educate and work with my patients as a team. I also enjoy the art of dentistry as well. Improving a person's emotional health and self-esteem by improving their smile, whether it's with a chair side single tooth bonding or a full mouth reconstruction, is deeply satisfying."

Dr. Christina Linn attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she ...