What Is TMJ?
Many people ask, “What is TMJ?” TMJ stands for “Temporomandibular Joint,” or the joint that allows your jaw to move. If you are reading this page, you probably already know that TMJ problems can certainly be painful, causing jaw pain, facial pain, or socially awkward loud clicking in your jaw. Fortunately, we can help you with your treatment options.
What Is TMD?
Ok. So “What is TMD?” TMD is short for “Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction.” TMD is the actual medical condition that affects one or both joints in your jaw, causing pain and discomfort. You use your jaw joints constantly, so as you probably already know, it is essential for you to stay pain-free and comfortable while speaking and eating.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?
Symptoms of TMD and TMJ problems may include one or multiple of the following indications:
- Moderate to Extreme Pain in Your Jaw Joints.
- Headaches that Appear After You Have Experienced Jaw Pain.
- Pain, Soreness, Sensitivity, and Tenderness Around the Jaw Joint.
- Your Jaw Joint Clicks or Pops when Opening and Closing Your Mouth.
- You Can’t Open Your Mouth as Far as You Could Before.
- Your Jaw Locks, or the Joint is Locked in Place, and You Can’t Open or Close Your Mouth.
- Pain Radiates from Your Jaw Joint.
- You Suffer from Chronic Headaches or Migraines.
- The Muscles Around Your Jaw Joints are Stiff.
- You Experience a Change in Your Bite or the Way Your Upper and Lower Teeth Fit Together.
- Chronic Discomfort in the Neck or Head.
Disorders of TMD and TMJ may affect one or both joints. If you suffer from any of these issues, we have several treatment options to help you feel better. Our doctors and dental team have many years of experience helping people with these conditions, and we look forward to helping you live a pain free life.
We understand these conditions can be very uncomfortable to completely debilitating. Rest assured. We want to help you. We can create personalized plans to help you recover and find relief.
Trust us to guide you toward a pain-free life and improved well-being. Call our dental clinic NOW for effective TMJ pain and symptom relief today. We understand, and we care.
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Treatments for TMJ and TMD Dysfunctions
We may recommend one or more treatments to start healing your joints. Your treatment may include the following:
Expert Analysis of your bite by a highly skilled dentist. Many times, pain in your joints is actually caused by a misaligned jaw. It takes a dentist with extreme skills and experience to recognize this and help align it properly.
Custom Splints and Bite Guards. If your TMD results from teeth grinding, teeth clenching, or muscle spasms, a custom made splint or bite guard can take pressure off your teeth and joints.
Physical Therapy. We may recommend TMJ exercises, hot or cold therapy, or laser therapy to relieve pain. Implementing changes to diet and reducing stress can also help.
Botox. Did you know that Botox can be an effective TMJ treatment? Many patients find that administering Botox in the muscles around the TMJ relieves pain and stiffness in the jaw.
Oral Surgery. When a patient experiences trauma to the joint, like a serious injury, oral surgery can repair the damage and relieve
TMJ symptoms. We take all of your symptoms and general health into consideration when recommending a TMJ treatment.
Relieving pain may be as simple as taking anti-inflammatory medication, reducing stress, in some rare situations, recommending an antidepressant, or using relaxation techniques to ease the pressure on your jaw.
Tips to Reduce TMJ or TMD Discomfort at Home
Some people have recovered from TMJ symptoms by following these popular home remedies. Your TMJ treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. If you have a minor TMJ disorder, we may recommend some of the home remedies mentioned below to reduce your discomfort at home.
- You Could Use Over the Counter Medicines Like Ibuprofen for Inflammation.
- You Can Do Jaw Exercises, Which May Help With Pain Relief.
- You Can Practice Mindfulness. It Helps to Reduce Stress.
- You Can Eat Easily Chewed Foods.
- Limit Wide Yawning. It Can Increase TMJ Discomfort.
- You Should Not Be Chewing Gum If You Have TMJ Pain.
- Heating Pads and an Ice Compress Can Help You Reduce Discomfort.
- Gently Massage Your Jaw. It May Help in Reducing Pain.
TMJ treatment can be different for each person. Some people recover from treatment within one or two weeks, but for some, it worsens.
It depends on the cause and the severity of the symptoms. After diagnosing your condition, we will devise a plan to address any discomfort you may have. If you are suffering from TMD, you need to be examined by our expert dentist as soon as possible.
Diagnosis Process
Our world class dentist can expertly analyze and diagnose your TMJ disorder by performing different tests based on your symptoms. You may not need to go through all of these steps. It all depends on the severity of your symptoms.
We can diagnose the severity of your TMJ disorder by following some or all of these steps.
- You May Need a Dental Exam to Determine if Your Bite is Misaligned.
- We Will Check for Soreness in Your Joints and Muscles.
- We May Apply Pressure to Identify Tender or Sore Spots.
- We Will Observe, Sense, and Listen to the Movement of Your Jaw Muscles.
- We May Need a Cone Beam 3D X-Ray and Rarely a CT Scan or MRI.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can worsen if you are not treated on time. If you are feeling pain in your temporal bones while opening or closing your jaw, it is time for you to take the first step toward living a pain free life. Call us NOW for a completely FREE, no obligation consultation.
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Causes of TMJ or TMD
Identifying the symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can sometimes be easy, while identifying the root cause of your pain may sometimes be difficult.
That’s why you need a highly experienced dentist like Dr. Skinner and his team, who have successfully treated many TMJ and TMD patients. We are experienced in finding the root cause of your problem.
Below are some of the causes of TMJ dysfunction.
- Your Bite May Be Misaligned.
- Arthritis May Have Damaged Your Joint Cartilage.
- You May Have Disc Erosion in Your Jaw.
- A Jaw Injury Could Cause TMD.
- You May Constantly Clench or Grind Your Teeth.
- Sometimes Stress or Anxiety May Tighten Your Facial Muscles.
- If You Constantly Chew Gum Every Day, It Could Cause You TMJ Pain.
- If you sleep on your stomach, it may cause you to have TMJ Pain or TMD.
If you are feeling pain in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), you should consult with our world class, amazing TMJ dentist NOW. We will provide you with an effective treatment to make you feel better.
Are You Ready to Experience Relief From Pain, Improved Well-Being, and Better Health?
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Call 503-648-6671 Now! Our welcoming team is ready to book your FREE consultation for TMJ and TMD.