TMJ therapy involves diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint and associated muscles.

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TMJ/TMD Treatment

Millions of people around the United States, most of them women, experience jaw pain or pain in their head and neck regularly. While many people treat their symptoms with over-the-counter pain medications, others suffer silently. Most of these people are enduring the discomfort caused by a problem with the temporomandibular joint. This is the jaw hinge. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ/TMD, can cause mild to severe pain. The pain can be localized in the jaw area or it can extend up into the head causing headaches and down into the neck and shoulder area.

Diagnosis

The first step in TMJ/TMD treatment is a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. This typically includes a review of symptoms and a physical examination of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and may involve imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans.

Conservative Treatment

In many cases, conservative, non-invasive treatment options are recommended initially. These may include:

Lifestyle and self-care practices: Patients are advised to practice stress reduction techniques, maintain good posture, avoid clenching or grinding teeth, and use heat or cold therapy to alleviate pain and relax muscles.
Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and pain relievers can help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
Oral appliances: Customized oral splints or mouthguards may be prescribed to help alleviate jaw muscle tension, reduce teeth grinding, and improve jaw alignment.

The treatment choice for TMJ/TMD depends on the severity of symptoms, underlying causes, and individual patient needs. It is essential to consult with a dental professional experienced in TMJ/TMD to receive an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is grinding my teeth normal?

While teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is very common among adults, it can cause serious damage to your teeth and jaw joints. If you wake up with sore muscles or you have noticed that you clench or grind your teeth, we can make a night guard to help protect your teeth.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Joshua Wyatt
Smile Strategist

Dr. Wyatt enjoys all aspects of dentistry. He decided to become a dentist in 5th grade. He would grow more and more interested in dentistry each time he went to get his teeth cleaned. He is fortunate to know what he wanted to be when he grew up from a very young age.

After attending the University of Alabama for his undergraduate studies, he received his D.M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys exercising in his spare time. His favorite part of ...