What Is TMJ Therapy?
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the spot where your jaw connects to your skull to enable you to open and close your jaw easily. Sometimes the TMJ is damaged or injured, resulting in a debilitating condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction or disorder (TMD). If you are having pain or hearing noises when you move your jaw, then schedule a consultation with Reflections Dental to determine if you have TMD. At his practice in Peoria, AZ, Dr. Hildebrandt uses advanced equipment to assess and care for your TMD to relieve pain. Your treatment will be based on the cause of your TMD and your particular condition, but a few options are oral appliances (mouth or night guards), bite modification, dental restorations, and much more.
What Can I Expect from TMJ Therapy?
To help diagnose temporomandibular disorder (TMD), Dr. Hildebrandt will carefully listen and understand your concerns before performing a physical exam. During the examination, he will evaluate the movement of your jaw and start looking for signs of misalignment, jaw clenching, and teeth grinding. He will also palpate the jaw and surrounding area for any swelling and tenderness. Dr. Hildebrandt might want to have digital images of your lower face or an analysis of your bite to look for underlying factors that could determine your treatment approach. Based on the exam, he will go over your treatment choices, which may include a dental appliance, orthodontics, or dental restorations (crowns, bridges, or dentures).
What Are the Benefits of TMJ Therapy?
At Reflections Dental, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) therapy features a variety of upsides that allow Peoria, AZ patients to achieve an improved quality of life. These advantages include:
- Lessening chronic pain and soreness associated with TMJ issues
- Enhancing jaw function and movement
- Calming neck pain, headaches, facial pain, and earaches
- Decreasing the sound of jaw clicking or popping
- Resulting in improved sleep
- Reducing the likelihood of more dental complications
- Easing pressure and apprehension levels linked to chronic pain
- Elevating a patient's overall quality of life
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Am I a Good Candidate for TMJ Therapy?
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction may be caused by an injury to the jaw, years of teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching, or dental malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth). Medical conditions that might lead to TMD include a tumor in the temporomandibular joint or arthritis. Sometimes the reason behind TMD is unclear, but if you are having signs and symptoms, Dr. Hildebrandt can still diagnose and care for your TMJ. The most common symptoms of TMD are tenderness or pain at the jaw, spasms in your facial muscles, feeling as though your jaw is rigid or stuck, and frequent headaches that start near your ears. Another symptom is hearing popping, cracking, or clicking when you open your jaw.
TMJ Therapy FAQ
Where does TMJ come from?
Various environmental and genetic factors can contribute to the rise of TMJ. Clenching your jaw (bruxism), genetic inheritance, and poor posture all have the potential to lead to TMJ. At Reflection Dental we will likely be able to determine the cause of your TMJ in your consultation appointment.
How long will TMJ therapy take?
The severity of your case may impact the length of your therapy. Mild to moderate cases may resolve more quickly than severe ones. We will provide an estimate of treatment length and TMJ severity in your consultation as well.
Does TMJ cause headaches/migraines?
We often find that our Peoria, AZ patients correlate their headaches and migraines with their TMJ symptoms. It can also cause chronic inflammation and pain around your cheekbone and ear. If you notice these symptoms, you may wish to consult with Dr. Hildebrand to get a diagnosis and move towards healing.
Advanced TMD Treatments
Pain in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can make it hard to eat, speak, and enjoy your everyday life. Since there are many possible causes, signs, and remedies to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), make a consultation with Dr. Donald Hildebrandt at his practice in Peoria, AZ. He will give you a thorough exam prior to your diagnosis and discuss treatment choices. Get in touch with the staff at Reflections Dental to learn more and schedule your appointment.