Restorative Dentistry » Headaches and Facial Pain

• A very significant proportion of headaches and pain in the face and neck area can be caused by an imbalance between the jaw joints, teeth and the chewing muscles. Pain which feels like tooth ache or ear ache can also be caused by muscle fatigue.

  A thorough and systematic examination of the muscles of the head and neck, the jaw joints and the way the teeth function together will tell us whether pain experienced is caused by an imbalance of these structures.

  If a diagnosis of muscle fatigue or joint dysfunction is made, an occlusal appliance can be constructed to relax the muscles or support the joint.

  An occlusal appliance is essentially a piece of acrylic (plastic) that fits over the teeth and which can be worn during the night or day. The design of the appliance will depend on the diagnosis.