(218) 733-5673     230 E Central Entrance, Duluth, MN 55811     staff@gallerydentalduluth.com

Jaw/Joint Therapy

 

Temporomandibular disorders are a group of problems that cause pain and poor function in the jaw joint and the muscles responsible for jaw movement.

They are also known as TMD or TMJ for short.

 

Symptoms of TMD/TMJ may include:

  • Pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint
  • Stiff jaw muscles
  • A jaw that locks or has limited movement
  • Painful clicking, popping, or grating
  • Changes in the fit between upper and lower teeth
  • Headaches, neck pain, or ringing in the ears

 

Dr. Kathrynne Dryke specializes in occlusal equilibration which is one therapy to treat TMJ. Occlusal equilibration involves meticulously adjusting the biting surfaces of the teeth to put them in correct alignment with the chewing muscles. Often, patients who receive this adjustment make remarks that they notice that their teeth hit more evenly and their bite feels more solid than it has ever been before.