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 have suffered with migraines for 30 years and over the last 2.5 years neck and shoulder pain, fullness and ringing of the ears. I’ve seen several Dr’s for this problem and no one seemed to have a solution. About a month ago I visited my dentist for what I thought was a toothache. After an x ray he said it wasn’t a toothache but TMJ. He referred me to Dr Urbanek and he fitted me for the TMJ Splint. This is week 3 and I have experienced significant improvement! I’m so happy to have found TMJ Specialist!
- Bridget M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came into the office seeking help with jaw pain so severe that I was suffering with severe headaches, pain inside my left ear, neck and shoulder pain, and the inability to open my mouth to chew without pain. Three weeks later, those symptoms are all being kept at bay when I faithfully wear the Urbanek device. The headaches are gone, neck ear and shoulder pain are non-existent, and there is pain when I chew. Thanks for the great intervention.
- Theresa P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I learned about Dr. Urbanek’s office when I was experiencing a TMJ flare so severe that eating soup was a challenge. The mouth splint has worked wonders for me. We’ve tweaked it several times, and the results are worth the lengthy process. I didn’t realize how much of my chronic headaches and jaw pain were stemming from TMJD. My frequency of pain has decreased by 80-90%. My only regret is that I didn’t know about this option sooner.
- Hannah M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The TMJ device has helped in many ways by reducing headaches jaw pain ,my jaw just feels like refreshed now thank you
- Jaira H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Before I was having issues with pain in my jaw and locking in the joint. Since starting with this device I have not experienced anymore locking and the pain has gone away. I would recommend this to anyone experiencing trouble with TMJ.
- Robert F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was slightly skeptical at first seeing Dr Urbanek. I’ve had headaches and ear issues since I was about 2. I’ve seen every type of Dr there is to see. I e been hospitalized due to headaches and ear issues, have had all types of ct scans, mri’s and everything in between with no,success in anything helping. My ENT Dr recommended Dr Urbanek thinking he may be able to help out. OMG!!! No more earaches, headaches down by 80%, ringing in ears gone, dizziness gone, jaw tightness gone. I highly recommend giving this a try if you have any issues above the shoulders whether neck, jaw, ears, or head this device has been amazing.
- Heather F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My family dentist recommended Dr. Urbanek to me. When I first came to Dr. Urbanek my complaints were right ear ache and last tooth on right top was hurting. Even after I had a root canal on that tooth I was still experiencing pain. I also had a ringing sound in my left ear. Once I received the device the earache and toothache stopped immediately. It was like a miracle. The ringing in my left ear started Lessing over time and now it has improved 95%. I would highly recommend this device to anyone that was experiencing the symptoms I had.
- Kathy Y
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I suffered from TMJ for over 15 years. Constant headaches, ringing in my ears, and aching jaw pain, as the worst of my symptoms. I was shuffled back and forth between doctors, dentists, and specialists; they had no way of helping me. Instead, they would tell me the pain would go away with age, and to take pain medication as needed. Since my pain was so unbearable, I was on a steady supply of ibuprofen and Tylenol; I worried for my liver. I was in agony until I went to Dr. Urbanzek. To my surprise, he did what no one else was able to do: he gave me an actual solution to stop my TMJ. It is called the Urbanek Device. If I wore it consistently, my TMJ torment would supposedly end. I was skeptical at first, especially as my jaw began to ache in new ways during the first two months during the adjustment period. However, once I reached about four months, a majority of my pain had stopped: my headaches were gone and my jaw does not ache anymore. To my amazement, I no longer needed to take pain medication. As time goes by, I am confident the rest of my symptoms will fade too. The Urbanek Device changed my life and saved my liver.
- Katherine M