TMJ Treatment
Did you know temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can cause migraines and headaches?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to the skull. It aids in speaking, eating, and jaw mobility.
Any issue with this joint is diagnosed as TMD. The exact cause of TMD remains unknown, but several factors can trigger it.
Pain caused by tense jaw muscles and teeth grinding can induce headaches.
The size and shape of your jawbone and bite can negatively affect sleep quality. Your airways may become blocked, and this can result in snoring or sleep apnea.
It’s crucial to diagnose and treat TMD as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
TMJ Disorder Symptoms
It can be hard to differentiate between TMD and non-TMD pain symptoms. But if you suffer on a regular basis from any of the following, your dentist can assess and diagnose if you have TMD.
Headaches & Migraines
You may unknowingly be getting headaches or migraines due to bite irregularities that are straining the muscles in your jaw, head, and neck.
Jaw Pain, Jaw Clicking, Jaw Locking
A misaligned jaw’s movement is restricted and will make clicking sounds when you open and close your mouth, also resulting in head and neck pain.
Ear Pain, Facial Pain, Eye Pain
Headaches and jaw pain may be due to issues in your jaw or head and neck alignment. It can be hard to tell unless you seek a proper diagnosis.
Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Back Pain
Muscles in the body are similar to car parts - each part has a purpose, and they’re all interconnected. An issue in your jaw muscles can also strain muscles in other parts of your body.
Treating TMJ Disorders at the Dental Office
Wing Dental prioritizes non-invasive treatment procedures when applicable. To customize a treatment plan for TMD, we perform a thorough physical patient evaluation in coordination with specialists in other areas of healthcare to ensure effective treatments for our patients.
TMJ Therapy at Wing Dental
It takes patience and time to treat TMD, and patient cooperation is crucial in achieving positive results.
After a thorough evaluation, we discuss possible treatment options to manage your TMD. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how our TMD therapy works:
- Bite assessment. We assess your bite or how your upper and lower teeth fit together when you open and close your mouth. We look at possible adjustments to reduce the stress on your jaw muscles.
- Diagnostic Testing. We also evaluate how well your jaw moves and functions in coordination with your neck muscles. We may use an Ultra Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ULF-TENS) unit to bring your jaw, neck, and face into a relaxed state.
- TMJ Dental appliance customization. Next, we make a custom dental appliance to improve your bite. Once it’s ready, we fit it on you and make necessary adjustments.
- Continued care and follow up appointments. We keep track of your progress and see if your orthotic device or oral appliance needs further adjustments.
Ask About Our TMD Therapy Services Today
If you have jaw issues, we invite you to schedule an initial TMD consultation with our treatment coordinator to see if you may need TMD therapy.
You may use this as an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have, such as treatment fees and payment plans.