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
When I first came to TMJ Services, I was literally desperate and in tears. I had neck pain, jaw pain and headaches every morning plus intermittent tingling and numbness in my fingers. After 3 weeks of using the device I noticed improvement. After 6 weeks, I had a 90-95% reduction in symptoms. I no longer wake up in pain. It’s like a miracle!
- Jessica M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came here looking for a solution to the pain I had experienced for over two years. I had pain in my shoulders, neck, behind the ears, and jaw. I had went to a couple of dentist but they couldn’t fix the problem. Using this device has pretty much alleviated all of my issues and for that I am grateful.
- Jose C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I came for my first visit I was having pain down the right side of my face from the top of my head to the underside of my jawbone with a head ache. Soon after I started wearing my mouthpiece, the pain went away and has not returned at all. I am very pleased with my outcome and really appreciated the treatment I received. I could not be more satisfied.
- Ed O
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I first came to this office I was experiencing severe jaw pain to the point I couldn’t eat or drink without it hurting. I also was experiencing vertigo, unsteady gait, headaches, ear pain, gum and teeth pain as well as teeth shifting. With Dr. Urbanek’s HeIp I was fitted with a guard that not only helped with my teeth grinding and helped me understand also about TMJ and what signs and symptoms I was experiencing was due to this condition. With my new guard it’s helped to decrease my inflammation and I’m no longer experiencing vertigo or severe pain in my jaw. I do continue to feel my inflammation in my jaw but with this device and Dr. Urbanek’s help I’ve learned about my condition and I am the person I use to be.
- Jennifer S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I started my treatment not able to eat anything solid. I had constant head, jaw, and neck pain with dizziness. After 9 weeks my symptoms are almost non existent. I have some jaw pain here and there from clenching but nothing compared to the start. I no longer have neck pain or dizziness.
- Katelynn F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I first came I was very skeptical because I was already using a mouthpiece from my dentist. I was suffering from 2 to 3 migraines a week and now I might get one once a month. I recommend this device to anyone who suffers from migraines.
- Denna B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
In three months of using the device, my overall quality of life has improved. Jaw, facial and neck pain have become almost non-existent!
- Wendy S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have been misdiagnosed forever over 40 years suffered with headaches and shoulder pain neck pain back pain and a couple of months ago I started having earaches and toothaches and couldn’t open my mouth very wide after two months it’s pretty much 100% gone I just feel we need to listen better to our doctor when he’s telling us to wear it I believe it really works
- Bonnie D