TMJ/TMD Therapy – Farmington, MI
TMJ Therapy Prevents Jaw Pain
If your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) function well, then you may not even know where these joints are located on your body. However, if they give you trouble, then you no doubt know exactly where they are. Place your forefingers on both sides of your face just in front of your ears and open and close your mouth or wiggle your jaw. You’ll be able to feel the temporomandibular joints working. However, if these joints don’t work properly, then just these simple movements can cause discomfort.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
Dentists and researchers are not certain about what causes temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), but research indicates that the problem may begin with the muscles near the jaw or the joints themselves. A serious injury to the jaw, head, or neck may also lead to TMD. Other potential causes include:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
- Arthritis in the jaw
- Stress, which can lead to teeth clenching and other muscle tightening habits
The Symptoms of TMD
TMD can lead to chronic headaches, as well as neck and jaw pain. Patients may experience regular difficulty with opening and closing your mouth. Additionally, you may notice that your jaw makes a clicking or popping sound whenever you open and close it. You may also notice that you have difficulty chewing or speaking, regularly experience a supposed earache with no signs of infection, or your jaw may feel locked or stuck at times. If you experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive analysis.
Diagnosing TMJ Dysfunction
At your comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Metzger will assess your symptoms and evaluate the condition of your teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. Stress, a misaligned bite, trauma, and other factors can make the two small joints in front of your ears malfunction. Dr. Metzger may also elect to take comprehensive digital X-rays of your mouth and jaw.
TMD Treatment
Many patients experience an end to TMD distress with a custom-fitted oral appliance. This comfortable, easy-to-use device places your jaw in its optimal position to reduce stress on the joints and muscles. In addition, the appliance—which is made of smooth plastic—buffers the effect of teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) if either of these are a contributing factor. An oral appliance can ease the effects of bruxism and provide relief from the discomfort of TMD. The result is improved function and an end to painful and annoying symptoms. Dr. Metzger will monitor your progress and help you achieve pain-free TMJ function and lasting comfort.
To learn more about TMD or to schedule a consultation with your dentist in Farmington, MI, contact Monet Aesthetic Dentistry today.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
How Long Does TMJ Treatment Take?
The timeframe for TMJ treatment will usually depend on the kind of method used as well as the severity of the patient’s situation. You might try certain at-home jaw exercises to help alleviate your symptoms, but these will only offer temporary relief. By visiting our team, we can provide you with a custom-fitted oral appliance that you can wear every night for a few weeks to several months before noticing any significant changes. While it might take a while to feel relief, the results can potentially be long-term.
Is TMJ Treatment Safe?
So long as you receive TMJ treatment from a qualified professional, you should be entirely safe throughout the process. Remember that oftentimes it’s recommended to first address TMJ disorder with the most conservative and minimally invasive options, according to the National Institutes of Health. For this reason, your dentist will typically suggest solutions such as oral appliances before getting surgical treatment. This way you’ll also be able to avoid needing post-op recovery as well as facing any potential risks.
Is TMJ Treatment Expensive?
Since every patient is different and there are various kinds of treatments for TMJ, the cost can often vary. The geographic area you line in, and even the specific provider that you visit, can sometimes impact how much you’ll pay. In many cases, TMJ treatment can come with a price of several hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Keep in mind that the more extensive your treatment process is, the higher the cost.
That’s why you’ll want to speak with our team so that we can walk you through the kind of care we can provide while helping you minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Don’t forget that the specific treatment option you might require can be based on the cause of your TMD, the severity of your situation, and other factors. Our practice provides custom oral appliance therapy, which doesn’t require surgery or a lengthy recovery, and the potential lifelong relief can end up being truly priceless.
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
In some instances, discomfort from TMJ disorder can go away by itself after some time. That said, if you notice your symptoms are beginning to negatively affect your daily life, you should visit our team for professional treatment. We can develop a custom oral appliance that is designed to adjust your jaw position so that it can relieve tension while allowing the joints and muscles time to heal.