TMJ Therapy – Prosper, TX
Eliminating Jaw Pain with Quality Treatment
Does it hurt to move or open your mouth? Jaw pain can affect your everyday life, making it hard to eat, speak, and even yawn. This serious problem may be TMJ disorder, a common issue that effects the mobility of the jaw. Thankfully, at Texas Dental Surgery, we have the technology, training, and experience to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. Keep reading to learn how this is possible!
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ, also called TMD, is the name that represents tiny joints that connect the jawbone to the skull (temporomandibular joints). This controls the way you chew, yawn, speak, and other day-to-day activities. TMJ disorder occurs when you experience pain in this area, which can result from injury, overuse, misaligned bight, and most commonly, nighttime teeth grinding. When the TMJ is strained or injured, it can be hard to move the jaw.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
Because the jaw joints are connected to various areas of the head and neck, there can be many causes. However, these are some of the most common:
- Chronic nighttime grinding or clenching
- An injury to the head, neck, or jaw
- Stress
- Arthritis
- Poor posture
- Underbite, overbite, or crossbite
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
As experienced oral surgeons, we can recognize the common warning signs of TMJ disorder, including:
- Inability to fully extend the jaw
- Jaw pain
- Pain when opening the mouth
- Earaches or mild hearing loss
- Frequent neck or back pain
- Chronic headaches
- Grinding or popping when moving the jaw
TMJ Therapy
Because each patient’s jaw is different, no two of our TMJ treatments are the same. We can create a personalized TMJ mouthguard to position the jaw in a way that allows the muscles and joints to work together properly. This is worn during sleep, and it can also protect your teeth from nighttime grinding, which is one of the most common causes of TMJ disorder. You can also conduct daily joint stretches and exercises to improve the range and motion of your jaw. In more severe cases, we may recommend surgical intervention. In these cases, we can provide you with the surgery you need at the same convenient location for quality and consistent care.
Have you been experiencing jaw pain? Does it sound like you could benefit from TMJ treatment? Contact our office today to restore your health and improve your day-to-day life.
TMJ Therapy FAQs
Our team of experts are ready to help you find relief from the pain of TMJ disorder! However, it is understandable if you want to learn more about this condition and how we approach it before you schedule your consultation. That is why we have compiled this brief list of FAQs. If you would like us to personally address your questions, you are more than welcome to give us a call.
Will My TMJ Disorder Go Away on Its Own?
Some people find that their symptoms go away on their own after a while. However, this does not mean that the disorder’s original cause has been addressed. Without proper treatment, you may find that the problem continues to reoccur. You might also experience a range of other symptoms related to issues with the jaw joint, such as back and neck pain, even if the jaw joint itself feels fine. As experienced oral surgeons, our goal is to help patients find long-lasting relief from TMJ disorder, not a temporary reprieve from symptoms.
What Can I Do at Home to Relieve TMJ Pain?
While you may not be able to “fix” TMJ disorder on your own, there are certainly some steps you can take to lessen your discomfort. For example, you should avoid chewing gum or any food that is tough or sticky. Maintaining proper posture, using hot and cold therapy, and employing stress relief techniques may also help. When necessary, it is fine to take over the counter pain relievers.
If I Must Have TMJ Surgery, What Can I Expect from the Procedure?
There are different types of TMJ surgery. After we evaluate your joint, we will be able to give you more details about your procedure. We tend to favor conservative treatments, so if you do require surgery, we will choose the least-invasive procedure that may be an effective way to treat your condition. We will use sedation and other means to ensure that you are comfortable during your surgery.
Who Is Most at Risk of Developing TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder can afflict patients of any age or gender. However, it is most prevalent in women of childbearing age. Scientists do not fully understand the reasons for this, but they believe it may have something to do with hormones or with subtle differences in TMJ anatomy between men and women.
Does TMJ Disorder Cause Migraines?
Research has found a correlation between severe TMJ disorder and chronic migraines. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the other. It is possible that TMJ disorder can worsen the severity and frequency of migraines for people who are already prone them.