Relieve Jaw Pain with Tailored TMJ Treatments in Dallas, TX
Are you experiencing pain or discomfort on your jaw when talking or eating? Does it sometimes “lock” or get stuck when you try to open or close your mouth? You might be suffering from a TMJ disorder though you don’t know it yet. Read on to know more about this condition.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is an issue with the muscles in your face that regulate your jaw or with the joint itself. It could also be referred to as TMJ dysfunction or problem by your doctor. Although many people only call the condition TMJ, which is the name of the joint.
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hinges the jaw to the temporal bones in front of the ears. It allows you to yawn, eat, and move your jaw side to side and up and down.The TMJ disorder may be caused by any of the following:
- Injury to the jaw, neck muscles, or the TMJ.
- Constant grinding or clenching of teeth that puts pressure on the joint.
- Adjustment of the disk located between your joint’s ball and socket.
- Joint arthritis.
- Stress that causes you to clench your teeth
Signs of TMJ Disorder
A TMJ Disorder most commonly affects adults in the 20–40 age range. It can last for a few months or several years and affect your face on one or both sides. Here are the typical signs and symptoms of TMJ Disorder:
Diagnosis and Treatment of TMJ Disorder
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, you should immediately see one of our dentists at Contemporary Dentistry. We offer TMJ treatments in Dallas, TX that can help diagnose the cause of the disorder and alleviate some of the symptoms like bite alignment, headaches, and pain in your jaw.
As with any dental treatments, your dentist will ask about your health history and perform a physical examination. You’ll have complete facial X-rays to help your dentist get an overview of your teeth, jaws, and TMJs. They might require additional testing, such as a CT or MRI scan. If the TMJ disc is not moving improperly when your jaw moves, an MRIscan may be needed.
To diagnose a TMJ issue, your dentist may also advise a TMJ arthroscopy. During this procedure, a tiny, thin tube called a cannula and an arthroscope are inserted in close proximity to your jaw joint in order to examine the region more closely and provide a diagnosis.
For care and treatment, you can be sent to an oral surgeon (also known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon). This physician’s area of expertise includes surgery involving the entire face, mouth, and jaw.
In order to make sure your joints, muscles, and teeth function properly, you might also visit an orthodontist. Your doctor may also give you some prescription medications to help lessen the symptoms.
Alleviate Jaw Discomfort with Specialized TMJ Therapy
At Contemporary Dentistry, we offer Specialized TMJ Therapy to take away your jaw pain and discomfort. Our dental experts and specialists are available to check your condition and determine the right treatment to help solve your TMJ disorder.
Scheduling a dental appointment with one of our expert dentists is easy. Just call (214) 366-4646 or schedule an appointment right now. We look forward to serving you and reestablishing excellent dental health.