TMJ treatment Round Rock TX
The annoying clicking sounds and agonizing pain in your jaw shouldn’t be taken lightly, as they could be a red flag indicating a much deeper issue. You could be one of the millions of people suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). It affects the intricate network of muscles, ligaments, and bones within your jaw and can wreak havoc on your daily life.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a common and progressive condition. Chronic migraines and the jaw pain that they cause can significantly reduce your quality of life. Without a specialist's help, TMJ disorders cannot be fixed. You no longer have to put up with the stiffness or agony of TMJ disorders thanks to Dr. Ashely Smitterman's comprehensive TMJ treatment near Round Rock, TX.
TMJ is a syndrome that affects the jaw and causes agonizing pain in the joint close to your ears. It is also referred to as TMJ. The signs and symptoms include:
- Jaw clicking or popping sounds
- Chewing pain
- Random tooth chips or cracks.
- Locking of the jaw. Jaw lock
- Migraines and headache
- Earaches (pain under the ears).
- Dizziness.
- Teeth clenching and grinding.
- Toothaches. Bruxism
- Tenderness in the jaw.
How are TMD and TMJ different?
TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably; however, they refer to two distinct conditions. TMJ refers to the "temporomandibular joint," which is the joint that connects your mouth (mandible) to your head and regulates mobility. When you move your jaw when speaking or chewing, or when you position your fingers in front of and just behind your ears, you may feel these joints moving.
TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) is a group of conditions that affect the TMJ and its surrounding muscles.
What triggers TMD?
Although the exact cause of TMJ is mostly unknown, it typically manifests in those who:
- Have suffered injuries to the jawbone joint, neck, and head muscles
- Clenching or grinding their teeth
- Experience movement between the ball and socket of the joint in a disc or soft cushion.
- Arthritis
- Tensed jaw when under stress
It's crucial to keep in mind that several of these conditions can coexist and produce similar symptoms, but each will require a separate course of therapy. The successful treatment and relief of your TMJ symptoms depend on a correct diagnosis.
If you are exhibiting any of the above signs or symptoms, you are welcome to come in and speak to Dr. Smitterman, a qualified TMJ dentist near Round Rock, who will be able to accurately diagnose your TMJ disorder and provide extensive and personalized jaw pain treatment near Round Rock. Treatment may include:
- Oral appliance therapy - custom-made mouth guard or splint
- Medication
- Undergoing lifestyle changes
- Help with practicing stress management techniques
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our treatment options.
Why choose nonsurgical treatment options
Nonsurgical treatments are less invasive than surgery and can provide sustained relief as they focus on addressing the root causes of the condition rather than simply treating symptoms. Nonsurgical treatments may include oral appliance therapy and bite splints or guards to protect the teeth and mouth from further damage due to clenching or grinding.
These also offer long-term relief, so you can avoid surgery because it carries the risk of complications like infection, hemorrhage, and nerve damage. Surgery might not address the root cause of TMD because it is a complicated condition with many different contributing factors.
Our dedicated staff works on finding the underlying cause of TMJ pain rather than just medicating the symptoms. Our TMJ doctor near Round Rock uses state-of-the-art imaging tools and the most effective treatment methods to determine the best course of action for relief.
Contact our office to book an appointment to speak to our jaw specialist near Manor about what treatment option would be right for you.
FAQs!
Oral appliances are a part of TMD therapy. This non-invasive, drug-free procedure aims to reduce TMD stiffness, pain, and discomfort. Similar to a mouthguard, TMJ appliances are worn in the mouth and fit over the upper or lower teeth. The cause and severity of TMD, among other things, determine how long patients must use an appliance. TMJ problems are frequently chronic, which means they don't go away by themselves. In most situations, oral appliance therapy, commonly referred to as "splint therapy," can reduce the uncomfortable TMD symptoms over a few months and thereafter give joint stability.
A lot of people tend to delay getting medical treatment for as long as they can because they don't want to spend the time or money on trying to get their condition under control, or they downplay their issues. Although delaying treatment will save you time and money, it won't spare you from the suffering and consequences of doing so. You run the risk of developing more severe symptoms and other health issues if TMJ is not treated. These may include:
- Chronic jaw pain - This is among the first symptoms you'll experience if you don't get treatment for TMJ.
- Recurrent headaches and migraines - The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull, which is why TMJ issues can cause headaches. Your skull, your neck, and your back are all surrounded by muscles that run along the joint. Headaches can result from joint inflammation because it might impact the surrounding muscles.
- Injury to joints and inflammation - Imagine a broken bone in the jaw joint. The break will worsen if you don't put it in a cast and wait for it to heal naturally. Your jaw joint is similarly affected. Your condition will deteriorate if you don't give it time to rest and recover.
- Tinnitus - Imagine having a car alarm go off continuously throughout the day. This is what it's like to have tinnitus all the time. Your tinnitus will only get worse if you don't get TMJ therapy.
The TMJ appliance or splint therapy process is not scary. Once the device is designed, fitted, and adjusted by our jaw specialist near Manor, splint therapy can be painless and simple to adhere to. Modern digital imaging, impression, and examination techniques will be used in a full evaluation. You will see our TMJ specialist on a regular basis for check-up visits once you have been equipped with a personalized TMJ appliance. Your development will be evaluated, and if necessary, therapeutic adjustments will be made to make sure TMD pain is reduced. TMD treatment is highly interactive and hands-on with our qualified TMJ specialist near Manor, TX.
GET TMJ RELIEF TODAY!
This one-time appointment is the first step to determining the root cause of your TMJ and alleviating your pain and discomfort.
Located Inside Perspective Dental
© 2024 All rights reserved | Nonsurgical TMJ Austin
Website Design By: MORNINGDOVE - Accessibility Statement