Cancel | Bow Lane Dental in London

Our dental clinic is open and you can read our COVID-safe procedures here.

We have unfortunately had to temporarily stop our beauty treatments in line with Government regulations. All existing appointments will be rescheduled.

Helping you find the solution to jaw pain and headaches

Do you suffer from headaches, jaw pain or any of the following symptoms?

  • Headache, jaw, ear, or facial pain

  • Waking headaches

  • Being unable to open the mouth comfortably

  • Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint

  • Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth

  • A bite that feels uncomfortable or “off”

  • Neck, shoulder and back pain

  • Swelling on the side of the face

  • Ringing in the ears or ear pain

  • Decreased hearing

If so, you may be one of the many undiagnosed TMD Syndrome sufferers. Fortunately for you and other sufferers, after TMD diagnosis we can help you relieve the symptoms.

TMJ is short for the Temporomandibular Joint. When these joints are in proper alignment with the skull, the result is a well-synchronised muscle action. Essential in many ways, these joints enable us to open and close our mouths as well as chew, breathe, swallow, talk, kiss and yawn.

Temporomandibular joints are finely tuned and it is very easy for problems like misalignment, degeneration and displacement of the parts of the mechanisms to arise. And when they do, they can get very painful and debilitating.

TMJ treatment for headaches and jaw pain

At Braintree Dental Studio we treat TMD Syndrome with Orthotic Therapy. We use a four-step process to achieve your ideal bite:

1

Bite Assessment

2

Discovering your ideal bite

3

Recording your ideal bite

4

Achieving your ideal bite with a number of options

TMJ therapy requires you to wear an unobtrusive upper appliance at night and possibly a small stress splint in the day. The appliances are clear and shaped to look like your natural teeth and most of our patients find them very easy to wear. When in place, the TMJ appliances will reposition your jaw into a more relaxed ideal bite. Wearing the TMJ appliance may also start to reduce any jaw and facial pain you have been experiencing along with the other symptoms associated with TMJ Syndrome.

Find out more with a free initial consultation at your Braintree dental clinic.

Hear from our patients

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"I can not rate Braintree dental studio enough!"

Vicky Oakley

"I highly recommend them."

Susi Yates

"I always feel very relaxed which is a 1st for me."

Shell Milt

"Braintree Dental Studio make everything really easy!"

Ross Scotney

"Very reassuring and will recommend to everyone."

Memis Tokkan

"This is my first visit as a new patient, the staff are friendly and polite."

Roger Edmonds

"A very gentle, empathetic and polite dentists"

Philip Case

"All of the staff are so welcoming."

Natalie Cox

"Absolutely amazing service, the dentist was so informative, and knowledgable."

Mark Hill

"I'm a very nervous patient and everyone is so friendly, reassuring."

Lucy Flint

"Very happy with the results and would not hesitate to recommend."

Megan Dwyer

"Outstanding service, and very friendly staff."

Lisa Taylor

"Dentists were incredibly professional and so friendly!"

Loren Jarvis

"They are fantastic and so patient with the children"

Katie Fraser

"I am delighted with the ongoing outcomes of each visit."

Joshua Wilson

"A safe journey all the way through."

Joe McEwan

"I am very nervous of dentists but they are always so understanding."

Jo Eldred

"Excellent service."

Jeff Turnbull

"The studio was bright and clean with soothing music."

James Murray

"Could not recommend this surgery higher, and especially for children."

Jade Elizabeth

"I had my teeth straightened here last year & they are fantastic."

Hayley Joyce

"I would highly recommend this dentist."

Helena Butcher

"Fantastic service from start to finish."

Glen Harmer

"I felt very safe and well looked after ...Thank You"

Geoffrey Robinson

"They help me with my nervousness and talk through everything."

Emma Burtenshaw

"I am no longer worried about visiting the dentist at all."

Ellie Hoad

"If anybody is reading this is thinking about braces. Book yourself in now! You won't find a better place to achieve your dream smile."

Danny Simpson

"They take the time to remember little details in your life."

Chloe Lane

"The staff are friendly and my dentist appointment is always on time."

Christopher Moore

"Highly recommended."

Carly Paternoster

"Outstanding service from knowledgeable and friendly staff."

Angela Jarvis

"Couldn’t be happier with the results!"

Alfie Halliday

"Big thanks to everyone at Braintree Dental Studio."

Carla Phillips

"A fantastic practice with lovely staff!"

Becca Sale

"Over the moon with my results from my teeth whitening!!"

Alex Miller

"Unbelievable experience with such friendly and knowledgeable staff, over the moon with my results from my teeth whitening!!"

Alex miller

Frequently asked questions about braintree Dental studio

What Is Dental Occlusion?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

Dental occlusion is another name for the way your teeth meet when your jaws bite together.

What Is TMJ?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

The letters TMJ are short for of ‘temporo-mandibular joint’, which is the joint connecting your lower jaw and your skull. The movement in this joint lets you open and close your mouth and chew from side to side.

What Kind Of Problems Might I Have?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

If your teeth don’t fit together properly, you can have problems not only in your teeth themselves, but also the gums, the temporo-mandibular joint or the muscles that move your jaw. These problems are called ‘occlusal’ problems.

  • Teeth - Teeth that are out of line, heavily worn or constantly breaking, fillings that fracture or crowns that work loose may all be signs of occlusal problems. Your teeth may also be tender to bite on or may ache constantly.

  • Gums - Loose teeth or receding gums can be made worse by a faulty bite.

  • TMJ - Clicking, grinding or pain in your jaw joints, ringing or buzzing in your ears and difficulty in opening or closing your mouth could all be due to your teeth not meeting each other properly.

  • Muscles - If your jaw is in the wrong position, the muscles that move the jaw have to work a lot harder and can get tired. This leads to muscle spasm. The main symptoms are continual headaches or migraine, especially first thing in the morning; pain behind your eyes; sinus pain and pains in your neck and shoulders. Sometimes even back muscles are involved.

How Are Occlusal Problems Treated?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

See your dentist. He or she may be able to help you or may refer you to a specialist who deals with occlusal problems.

Depending on the problems you are having, it can be possible to spot the signs of an occlusal problem. Various muscles may be sore when tested, or the broken and worn areas of your teeth will show you are grinding your teeth – a common sign of an incorrect bite.

If your dentist suspects that your problems are due to an incorrect bite, he or she may help to diagnose the problem by supplying a temporary soft nightguard or hard plastic appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth. This appliance needs to be measured and fitted very accurately so that when you bite on it, all your teeth meet at exactly the same time in a position where your muscles are relaxed.

You may have to wear this all the time or, just at night. If the appliance relieves your symptoms then your bite may need to be corrected permanently.

  • Tooth Adjustment (equilibration) - Your teeth may need to be carefully adjusted to meet evenly. Changing the direction and position of the slopes that guide your teeth together can often help to reposition the jaw.

  • Replacement of teeth - The temporo-mandibular joint needs equal support from both sides of both jaws. The chewing action is designed to work properly only when all your teeth are present and in the correct position. Missing teeth may need to be replaced either with a partial denture or bridgework.
    Replacement is not usually done until a diagnosis has been confirmed by using an appliance and this has fully relieved the symptoms. Relief in some patients is instant: in others it can take a long time.

  • Medication - Some drugs can help in certain cases, but this is usually only temporary. Hormone replacement therapy may also help some women.

  • Diet and Exercise - As with any joint pain, it can help to put less stress on the joint. So a soft diet can be helpful, as can Corrective exercises and external heat. Physiotherapy exercises can often help, and your dentist may be able to show some of these to you.

  • Relaxation - Counselling and relaxation therapy may help in some cases. These techniques help the patient to become more aware of stressful situations and to control tension.

How Can I Tell If I Have A Problem?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

You may find that you clench or grind your teeth, although most people who do aren’t aware of it. Sometimes can be caused by anxiety, but generally most people clench their teeth when they are concentrating on a task – housework, gardening, car mechanics, typing and so on.

You may wake up in the morning with a stiff jaw or tenderness when you bite together. This could be due to clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. Most people who grind their teeth do it while they are asleep and may not know they are doing it.

If you suffer from severe headaches, or neck and shoulder pain, you may not have linked this with possible jaw problems. Or you may keep having pain or discomfort on the side of your face around your ears or jaw joints or difficulty in moving your jaw. These are all symptoms of TMJ problems.

If you are missing some teeth at the back of your mouth, this may lead to an unbalanced bite, which can cause uneven pressure on your teeth.

Together, all these symptoms are called ‘TMJ syndrome’.

Will Straightening My Teeth Help?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

If your teeth are too far out of line or in a totally incorrect bite position, it may be necessary to fit an orthodontic appliance to move them into a better position.

How Many People Suffer From These Problems?

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

Up to 1 in 4 people may have some symptoms. Both men and women are affected equally, although women tend to seek treatment more often than men. The symptoms can often start with the menopause or other hormonal changes.

Many people have imperfect occlusion and missing teeth, yet never have symptoms because they adjust to their problems. Occasionally, in times of increased stress and tension, the symptoms may appear and then go away immediately. Or, your teeth and gums may be affected straight away and instead of headaches, you may suffer:

  • flattened, worn teeth

  • broken teeth, fillings and crowns

  • loose teeth

  • continual sensitivity of your teeth to temperature change

  • toothache with no apparent cause.

  • If you think you have any of these problems, ask your dentist.

Ready to start your smile journey?

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Find us in Braintree

Braintree Dental Studio
Unit 4, The Square
Great Notley
Braintree
Essex
CM77 7WW

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Opening times

Arrow Down | Bow Lane Dental Group in London

Monday

9:00am - 5.00pm

Tuesday

8.00am - 8.00pm

Wednesday

9:00am - 5.00pm

Thursday

8:00am - 8.00pm

Friday

9:00am - 5.00pm

Saturday

By Appointment

Sunday

Closed