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
I was in tremendous pain and depression for over a year with right jaw teeth ear and neck pain. I saw chiropractors dentists physical therapists and medical doctors. Medicine stretches physical therapy dental work steroid and Botox injections and regular mouth guards from a local dentists. nothing worked for long. I was at a lost until I saw a story on Dr Urbanek’s website that sounded so familiar to my own. I made an appointment because I had nothing else to lose and had ran out of options. It was the best decision I’ve made regarding my health. All my pain is gone and I’m back happy and healthy. I hope this story can help someone else make that last resort decision like it did for me. Thank you Dr. Urbanek and staff for helping me getting my life back.
- Michelle H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was referred to Dr. Urbanek by my dentist for having sore/worn out jaws. On my very first visit, I learned a lot about jaw joint damage. I never realized how many symptoms I actually had that were because of the damage. After a few weeks of wearing my splint, about 85% of my side effects were gone. No more sore/worn out jaws, no more headaches, and no more shoulder and back pain. I’m so thankful to have been referred to Dr. Urbanek. I love my splint and the results of wearing it!I will definitely be referring Dr. Urbanek and his team to my friends.
- Holly C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had jaw pain for years- clicking, popping, locking, you name it. I grind and clench my teeth. The device has truly helped my pain. I went from taking ibuprofen every 4 hours to not taking anything at all. Even my neck and shoulder pain has gone away. That’s not to say everything is perfect. There are still some days when I have some popping issues. But for the most part, everything is taken care of.
- Carly G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Urbanek and staff are AWESOME!!! Their care and customer service made me feel completely at ease in an uncomfortable time. Dr. Urbanek was very patient as I explained my problems, understood completely all my symptoms and helped me accordingly. The staff are all very pleasant and sweet, never without a smile and a “feel better” and I feel 1,000 times better! Come and see Dr. Urbanek and staff!!!
- Kara W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had been hurting from unresolved TMJ issues for over a year when I came to see Dr. Urbanek. I had everything from shooting pain in my jaw to migraines to neck and back pain. I mean when he read off the list of symptoms I had just about every single one. I suffered for so long because my primary dentist wouldn’t concede to the fact that I was suffering from something he couldn’t fix without consulting a specialist. When I found Dr. Urbanek on my own and met with him I was so pleased with the help he gave me. He sat down and in a very no nonsense way told me that he didn’t want to know what any other doctor had said but he wanted to know about me and what I was feeling. He fitted me with a jaw splint and, though I didn’t see improvements as quickly as some because of the severity of my issues, I am finally now at a place of comfort. I am so confident that I did the right thing coming to Dr. Urbanek and I wish more people knew this was an option.
- Paige D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
As I’m sure 99% of his patients are initially, I was also skeptical that a small splint could relieve so many symptoms. However, after wearing the splint, and feeling first hand how incredible it is is, don’t even attempt to take it from me. I’m a believer and a much happier camper. I came to Dr. Urbanek after reading testimonials on the website. I held Dr Urbanek to a very high standard. I have suffered from jaw pain, ear aches, tinnitus, nausea, migraines, upper back, neck and shoulder pain and stiffness for twenty years or more. I was taking medication for all of these symptoms and in order to “really test” the splint, I stopped taking three medications! Boy did Dr. Urbanek deliver! I came in for jaw pain relief and now I take three medications less than before the Splint and I have less pain than I’ve had in years. Thank you, Dr. Urbanek! Finally, the staff is amazing and that’s just a huge plus to the clientele and a credit to Dr. Urbanek. If you are suffering do this for yourself, come see Dr. Urbanek!
- Connie S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came here in Nov. 2017 hurting in my left ear and jaw. Could not find anything to help the pain till I came here. The retainer he made made the pain ease right away. After wearing it 24/7 for a couple months my pain was gone except when I took the device out. With working with him, I have learned to carry it with. E and when I hurt I wear it and the. Take out after pain subsides. Can’t thank him enough for giving me back my life with limited pain.
- Tonya H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My experience has been amazing! I have suffered from bruxism for over 25 years. I had serious symptoms such as headaches, neck and back pain, and dizziness. All f my symptoms disappeared in weeks! Dr. Urbanek has been patient and very good at explaining details concerning my dental care. If you suffer from TMJ this is the place to come,
- Valerie S