The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) help with the opening, closing, and gliding movements of your jaw. Disruptions to these joints can lead to pain and discomfort in the face, neck or ear.
TMJ disorder can be alleviated with nonsurgical treatment. Often, our team recommends physical therapy and bite adjustments to align the head, jaw and muscles into their correct position.
Diagnosis
A healthy TMJ specialist Houston TX functions as a ball and socket joint that is cushioned and separated by a thin disc of cartilage. Disruptions to this delicate system, including instability of the bite, lead to pain and discomfort, sometimes spreading beyond the jaw to the head, neck, shoulders and back.
This disorder can be caused by a variety of factors. Stress is a common cause, along with habits like chewing gum or hard foods, teeth clenching and grinding, leaning on your chin while you are thinking or talking, and/or opening your mouth widely for big bites.
Our neuromuscular dentist performs a comprehensive evaluation, including an in-depth history and physical, diagnostic tests, and imaging when necessary. Our goal is to help you get relief from your symptoms so that your daily activities, like eating and speaking, can return to normal. Our TMJ Specialist Houston TX will also help you develop a plan to avoid aggravating activities that will speed up your healing time.
Orthotics
For many people who suffer from TMJ, pain is a daily reality. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen and cause problems in the face, head, neck, and back. TMJ therapy can help relieve these symptoms and restore the normal relationship between the upper and lower teeth.
TMJ specialists have advanced training in restoring the proper position of your temporomandibular joints (TMJ). They are able to provide patients with fixed orthotics that can correct your bite and alleviate TMJ symptoms.
To find your ideal jaw posture, the Houston TMJ specialist Houston TX uses several diagnostic tools including K7 Neuromuscular Evaluation System and Myo-Monitor. These tools measure electrical activity of the muscles of your neck and jaw to determine the most relaxed and physiologic positioning for your jaw. This is the basis for your treatment plan to address TMJ and relieve your symptoms. TMJ treatment involves a gradual return to the normal alignment of your bite. This reduces strain and stress on your teeth, preventing excessive wear and damage.
Treatment
TMJ is a painful condition caused by a variety of issues. These include facial trauma, teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism) and certain types of arthritis. Pain occurs where the jaw connects to the skull, and it makes talking, chewing and opening and closing your mouth difficult. Our TMJ dentist Houston provides effective treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent long-term complications.
TMD is most often caused by bite misalignment. Our TMJ specialist creates a fixed orthotic for patients to wear, which will temporarily correct their bite and relieve their TMD symptoms. The splint will also disperse excessive force when patients clench or grind their teeth, and the patient will be able to stop this habit without causing further damage.
The patient may be given over-the-counter or prescription painkillers and muscle relaxants to ease their symptoms. Other non-surgical treatments include ice packs, soft diets and resting the jaw. In severe cases, a surgical procedure called arthrocentesis and arthroplasty may be recommended to treat the damaged joint.
Follow-Up
There are a number of benefits to getting effective TMJ Specialist Houston TX treatment. Some of the most obvious include pain relief, an ability to chew more easily, and a reduction in headaches. Additionally, addressing TMJ can help to improve the overall health of your teeth, including the prevention of additional dental problems such as gum disease and decay.
TMJ therapy usually involves a combination of treatments. For example, if your bite problem is caused by misaligned or missing teeth, you may need orthodontics (braces) to reposition the upper and lower jaws in order to create stable occlusion. Other times, a jaw arthroscopy procedure is used to remove adhesions and scar tissue to increase the mobility of the temporomandibular joint.