TMJ Therapy – Houston, TX
Say Good-Bye to Constant Jaw Pain
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are what connect your lower jaw to your skull. They’re extremely important for letting you talk and eat. However, if there’s a problem with these joints, you could suffer from constant pain that will severely lower the quality of your life. We can offer different kinds of therapy that can help you relieve issues with your TMJ. There’s no need to live with jaw pain; just contact our dental office today for TMJ therapy!
Why Choose Tamborello Dental Associates for TMJ Therapy?
- Advanced Dental Technology
- An Experienced Dental Team
- Reliable Oral Appliances
What is a TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder – also called TMD for short – develops whenever the temporomandibular joints stop moving correctly, causing nearby muscles and nerves to become inflamed. There are many different factors that can contribute to this condition, such as physical injury, stress, bruxism (grinding of the teeth, especially at night), excessive gum chewing, and biting nails or other hard objects.
TMD affects nearly 10 million Americans. While anyone can develop the condition, women between 18 and 44 years of age are at an increased risk. Also, some patients are genetically predisposed to pain sensitivity and stress responses, which might make TMD more likely.
How Do I Know If I Have TMD?
While the most obvious symptom of TMD may be pain in the jaw, especially near the jaw joints, other possible warning signs include:
- A popping or clicking sound when you open or close your mouth
- Toothache-like pain
- Earaches or ringing in your ears
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Tight, stiff, or sore jaw or neck muscles
- Problems with chewing
- Locked or dislocated jaw
If you notice any of these symptoms (especially in combination with each other), schedule an appointment so that we can properly diagnose the disorder and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.
Types of TMJ Therapy
There are a few different options when it comes to treating a TMD; since every patient is unique, we’ll need to perform an examination before deciding which one is right for you.
Occlusal Adjustment
Sometimes a misaligned bite is the source of TMD. In many cases, this can be corrected by adjusting the surfaces of your teeth so that biting pressure is distributed correctly. This might involve, for example, placing fillings and crowns on certain teeth so that they fit together correctly.
Oral Appliance Therapy
This is the most common solution for treating TMD. The appliance will hold your jaw in a more comfortable resting position to relieve the tension placed on the temporomandibular joints. It can also protect the teeth from any harmful grinding that might be related to the condition. If you wear your appliance regularly, over time your symptoms could permanently improve.
BOTOX®
Believe it or not, BOTOX can be used as an alternative TMD treatment. The injection stops the muscles in your jaw from making the (often unconscious) movements that cause tension and produce headaches. Many patients experience relief within one or two days, although in some cases it might take up to a week.