If you often experience headaches, difficulty chewing, jaw pain, and migraines, it might be a temporal mandibular disorder (TMD). The condition occurs due to problems in the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles. Fortunately, TMJ treatment can be effective in minimizing the symptoms and provide pain relief. Eric Koch, DDS, at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas, offers exceptional TMJ Treatment in Jasper to men, women, and kids. The doctor utilizes cutting-edge transcutaneous custom dental orthotics and electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to relieve your pain and leave you feeling better. To get started, call or book a consultation online today.
What exactly is A TMJ Disorder?
The temporal mandibular joint is where the jawbone joins the skull on both sides of the jaws. The joint allows you to talk, gnaw or yawn. Experiencing pain in any of these joints results in a TMJ disorder. In some cases, TMD gradually goes away by itself, but you should contact a health professional if the pain persists. TMJ treatment involves diagnosing, treating, and relieving temporomandibular joint disorder.
What Are The Causes Of TMJ Disorders?
The complex nature and its multiple uses make TMJ susceptible to several disorders and injuries. The common causes of the temporal mandibular joint disorder include; worn down or misaligned disc, severe distress such as a head blow, overuse due to teeth grinding or jaw clenching, cartilage damage because of arthritis, etc. In some cases, there is no clear cause of the TMJ disorder.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms Of TMJ Disorder?
Pain on the temporomandibular joints is one of the common signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder. However, other common symptoms include;
· Difficulty chewing
· Facial pain
· Migraines
· Uneven bite
· Headaches
· Jaw locking
· Earaches
· Jaw tenderness
You may also get a grating sensation or clicking sound from the temporal mandibular joint when opening your mouth or chewing.
What Are The Available TMJ Treatments?
There are different types of TMJ treatments. The best treatment for you will depend on your dental health history, age, and symptoms. Some of the innovative treatments available at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas include;
· Custom-Made Dental Orthotics
Dental orthotics involves custom-designed oral appliances that enhance your jaw alignment. To ensure it fits well, the dentist takes digital impressions using an intraoral scanner which are then forwarded to a dental lab to construct your personalized appliance.
· Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
This is an outpatient procedure that uses low-voltage electrical currents to relax your TMJ muscles. Relieving muscle tension helps in minimizing the frequency of jaw pain and headaches caused by TMJ.
· Oral Surgery
The doctor might opt for oral surgery if your symptoms persist after conservative measures such as TENS and custom dental orthotics. Oral surgery can permanently alter your bite, minimizing the risk of muscle tension and teeth grinding.
In conclusion, don’t struggle with severe discomfort that lowers your overall life quality due to TMJ disorders. Today, call or schedule an appointment online with Advanced Dental Care of East Texas to get effective TMJ treatments in and around Jasper, TX.