Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Treating Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) in Brentwood TN
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.
No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. Dr. Urbanek and Dr. Urbina can help you have a healthier, more comfortable jaw.
Do You Have Jaw Pain You Think May be TMJ?
If you are experiencing recurring headaches, earaches, neck or jaw pain you migth have TMJ Disorder. Schedule an evaluation with a TMJ Dentist near you!
Trouble with your jaw?
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth wide.
Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?
- Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
- Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
- Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
- Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
- Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
- Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
- Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
- Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
- Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
- Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
- Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
- Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
- Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?
The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.
TMJ Treatment in Brentwood TN
There are various treatment options for TMJ that Drs. Urbanek and Urbina can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Drs. Urbanek or Urbina will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care combined with professional care.
The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasms and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant. Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and include:
- Resting your jaw
- Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
- Eating soft foods
- Applying ice and heat
- Exercising your jaw
- Practicing good posture
Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may also be recommended, as well as a temporary, clear plastic appliance known as a TMJ Device. A TMJ Device (or nightguard) fits over your top or bottom teeth and helps keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for different purposes. A nightguard helps you stop clenching or grinding your teeth and reduces muscle tension at night. It also helps to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces. An anterior positioning appliance moves your jaw forward, relieves pressure on parts of your jaw, and aids in disk repositioning. It may be worn 24 hours/day to help your jaw heal. An orthotic stabilization appliance is worn 24 hours/day, or just at night, to move your jaw into proper position. Appliances also help protect tooth wear.
What about bite correction or surgery?
If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together you may need treatment such as bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work. Surgical options, such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring, are sometimes needed, but are reserved for severe cases. Drs. Urbanek and Urbina do not consider TMJ surgery unless the jaw can’t open, is dislocated and non-reducible, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.
TMJ Services Of Brentwood
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
12 weeks ago I couldn’t sleep at night due to intense TMJ disorder. My neck and back hurt so bad I couldn’t turn my head from left to right...and that’s the flare up that made me realize I had to do something. Someone referred me to Dr. Urbanek and I’ve been progressively better since the first day I wore his splint. Thank you, Dr. Urbanek for giving me my life back.
- Autumn K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have dealt with TMJ symptoms for forty plus years. I was referred to Dr. Urbanek after talking with my ENT Doctor. He told me about the success that Dr. Urbanek was having with a splint that he had developed. I started using the splint in Sept 2018. The jaw pain, headaches, dizziness, and ringing in my ears has diminished to the point I now have pain/dizzy free days. Thank you to Dr. Urbanek and staff.
- Debra B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have delt with headaches and ringing in my ears for 15 years. Using the jaw splint has really helped lessen my headaches and the ringing in my ears is completely gone!
- Diana F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in with some dizziness and crackling in my ear. I was really skeptical about the device. I have worn it for 3 weeks and I do not have crackling or dizziness. I am thrilled that this device really works.
- Michelle S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had jaw neck and shoulder pain for about as long as I can remember. After 3 months of treatment for TMJ with Dr. Urbanek my pain has been almost completely eliminated. Glad to have finally received treatment for this issue from Dr. Urbanek!
- Terry C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I found myself reaching for a protein drink, V8, milk or other liquid substance because I could barely open my mouth, I decided I would do whatever I needed to get my jaw pain under control. Even if it meant at 55 I would have to get braces. My regular dentist recommend I make an appointment with Dr. Urbanek, so I was expecting to drop about ten grand on braces. When he checked my jaw and told me I was not going to require braces, but rather a MUCH less expensive splint to wear for a couple of months, I was greatly relieved. At the beginning, he asked me a list of questions about some typical symptoms. Dealing with a high pressure job and spending hours at a time on the computer, I was confident my neck and shoulder pain was all about stress. You can imagine my surprise when, once I began wearing the splint, I noticed my neck and shoulders no longer ached. AT. ALL. I would recommend anyone to try this route. In the grand scheme of things, wearing an appliance in my mouth for 8 weeks felt like such a minor inconvenience it was truly just a blip. It worked wonderfully for me.
- DiAnne S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After having headaches, ear and jaw pain, ear fullness, and a mystery shoulder pain for years I was finally referred to Dr. Urbanek. After using the splint as directed, all of those symptoms were relieved within two months. I’m very thankful for Dr. Urbanek and the splint. They’ve changed my life.
- Joel L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have been suffering for at least 3 years with severe jaw pain, ear aches, vertigo and the list goes on. I had such severe pain in my ears that I went back to ENT and he told me that Ihad severe TMJ! I was referred to Dr. Urbanek. The staff was awesome. I was scheduled for the same week. After a through discussion with Dr. Urbanek, he explained That even the symptoms I didn’t realize were related to the TMJ. After 3 weeks,I feel at least 97% better. Only occasionally ringing in ears and that was explained to me in our discussion. I feel so thankful that I found Dr. Urbanek and this wonderful retainer! If you have these symptoms, don’t suffer anymore! Go see Dr. Urbanek!
- Traci B