HEADACHES

                                   Headache Therapy

Although headaches are not often thought of as a dental health concern, chronic headaches can be a sign of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Commonly called TMJ, a TMD is often the result of an imbalance in the bite which puts strain on the jaw joints causing painful symptoms.

Addressing a bite disorder such as TMJ is important for both your dental health and quality of life.

Common Symptoms of TMJ:

Facial pain (often in the temporal region or sides of face)
Pain in the neck and/or older shoulders
Migraine, or migraine like headaches, especially in the morning
Earache or feeling of fullness in the ears

Treatment for TMJ Headaches

Dr. Paquette will discuss your dental concerns and health history as well as perform a thorough dental exam before recommending appropriate treatment for TMJ and related symptoms. Treatment options include an oral appliance, such as a TMJ mouthguard, and/or bite correction therapy to address problems with the alignment of the teeth and jaw joints.

TMJ Mouthguard – Dr. Paquette can create a custom removable appliance that is worn during sleep. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce or prevent teeth grinding and clenching and therefore reduce the occurrence of morning headaches.

Bite Correction – Headaches often result from an unbalanced bite. Dr. Paquette may recommend restorative treatments such as dental crowns, bonding or orthodontics to reshape the teeth and balance the bite.