Dentists offer dental services for more than your teeth and gums. While they are very important, the health of your temporomandibular joints is also important for proper oral function. The temporomandibular joints, or TMJ for short, help you eat food and speak. If they become injured or sore, your oral function will suffer greatly. Allen Dental Center offers TMJ treatment in Allen, TX for patients that experience jaw pain or difficulty moving their jaw.
What is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joint is what connects the jawbone to the base of the skull. It is located on both sides of the head just in front of the ears. The joint is responsible for smooth movement of the lower jaw. This is how you are able to bite into food, chew food, speak, and yawn.
What is a TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, refers a group of conditions that can affect the function of the TMJ and associated structures. When the TMJ cannot function properly, this leads to pain, discomfort, and restricted jaw movement.
It is very hard to know what exactly causes TMD. However, it is most likely caused from factors such as injuries to the face, stress, teeth grinding, misaligned jaw, misaligned teeth, arthritis, or muscle tension. TMD can affect people in different ways and the symptoms and damage it can create will vary from patient to patient.
TMJ Symptoms
TMD can present a range of symptoms, including:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when moving the jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully
- Locked jaw
- Facial pain or headaches
- Earache or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Teeth sensitivity or toothaches
TMJ Treatment in Allen, TX
TMJ treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and pain as well as return jaw functionality to normal. As a leading local dentist office, Allen Dental Center will also check to see if the underlying cause of your TMD is related to dental issues. Each patient will receive a personalized approach to their TMJ treatment in Allen, TX.
Custom Mouthguards
A custom mouthguard is frequently used to manage TMJ disorders. Your dentist can create one that will fit perfectly over your upper and lower teeth. The purpose of a TMJ mouthguard is to provide a barrier so your teeth can no longer make contact when you grind your teeth or clench your jaw while sleeping. This will help reduce strain on the TMJ and surrounding muscles as well as protect the teeth. A TMJ mouthguard will help patients find relief from their jaw pain, improve jaw functionality, and prevent wear and damaged to the teeth caused by grinding or clenching.
Dental Treatments
We may need to recommend dental services if there is an underlying cause that is contributing to your TMD or if it has led to damage to your teeth. Dental interventions such as orthodontic treatments can correct bite misalignment issues. We offer Invisalign which can properly align the position of your teeth and jaw to help reduce your TMJ symptoms.
You may also require restorative dentistry work to fix any damage caused by the teeth grinding. Worn down teeth, chipped teeth, or cracked teeth may require dental crowns or teeth bonding.
Other Treatments
There are many other things you can do to help with TMD. Incorporating ways to reduce stress in your life can help. Practicing yoga, exercising, and seeking counseling are examples. If you are suffering from TMD, you should avoid chewing hard foods and candy to reduce the strain on the joints. Over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs may help manage pain and reduce inflammation. If you suffer from a severe TMJ disorder, you may require physical therapy or even surgery.
Your treatment options for TMD will depend on the severity of your case and can range from self-care and lifestyle changes to dental treatments. If you think you have a TMJ disorder, please contact Allen Dental Center. We offer TMJ treatment in Allen, TX for patients who need relief from their TMJ symptoms and jaw pain. Please call 972.640.7564 to book and appointment or you can also request an appointment online by filling out the form.