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
There are so many things that I could say, but let’s just start with I’ve been coping with TMJ now for over 10 years. If you’re reading this then we all know how TMJ affects every aspect of our lives. Not only is it so painful for me it was debilitating I could barely get out of bed the headaches were out of control my children were suffering I had went prior and could not be assisted because I have an upper denture. That was the worst news, and my son was 4 months old then, now he is 9! In the beginning the pain was there and like all moms we push through, we do what we Gotta do, and the end of last year 2024 I decided to make a change! I found TMJ services of Brentwood through social media and a friend. Not many people know I have an upper plate! Understandably I’m sure! When I first made the call a lady name KJ answer the phone, and when you talk about answering the phone with a smile that’s definitely every lady in this office! The consultation was free so I thought why not, i’ve tried everything else from over the counter pain medication to store-bought mouthguards , I almost cried when I explain to her how I couldn’t cope any longer…actually I did cry! She got me in literally within a couple of days where I have usually had to wait weeks for a Appointment. I came, Dr.Urbina discussed options, and I got fitted for my device that day! I am such a skeptic I hate that about myself however this device has changed my life not only within a week did it stop my headaches completely/ I noticed my neck and shoulders stopped hurting so much! Dr. Urbina, very direct with delivery of his plan for my journey was such a relief. Dr. Urbina explained exactly what I needed to know and understand, he gave me a timeline on my individual issues and not only did I get the device implant, he’s continuing to help me through this journey to make me feel good about the way I look! I can tell you that was a bonus! My journey through this is nowhere near done and because of my individuality I will continue to wear my mouthpiece every night a grinding clinch in my sleep but now I’m confident, healthy mindset, and no more pain! When you have TMJ pain the way you look is the last thing you could care about so that’s an added bonus. Not only is this affordable as a single mom of two it’s essential for me and I felt like it’s essential for me to share with you guys. Julie help me with my financial situation and I don’t have the best credit she made it work for my payments are affordable and in general she is a pleasure to be around they all are thanks so much guys I really appreciate all you’ve done! Regards from a pain free patient! Sam
- Samantha L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in the office with jaw pain so bad I would have migraines. Since using this device, my jaw pain has deceased immensely and I am no longer having migraines. Very thankful for this doctor and office staff.
- Charity M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
This jaw splint has been a game changer. I’ve always clenched my jaw and ground my teeth in my sleep. My dentist kept giving me night mouth guards and I would bite through them, sometimes within one month! It was extremely frustrating, not to mention expensive. She eventually offered Botox injections into my jaw muscles but those also did nothing to alleviate the problem and turned out to be another unnecessary expense at $400 per treatment. I was skeptical that this device would help, after already having received 6 rounds of Botox and bitten through 5 mouth guards in 2 years. Turns out this splint worked differently by not allowing my back teeth to touch it or each other. That was always where the mouth guards would break. Two months after wearing this device day and night (24/7), my jaw has shown amazing improvement. I no longer get the chronic neck pain and headaches that I had simply accepted as part of life. My hands also used to get numbness and tingling for no reason, and now that the inflammation of my jaw has improved I no longer experience that nerve pain. I wish my dentist had referred me to TMJ Services years ago. I’m just thankful she did finally and I am so grateful for the change. I think many other patients could benefit from this device, if only their health care providers knew about this solution.
- P L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My experience with the Urbanek device has been mostly successful. After about 6 months or wearing it, my symptoms are 80% gone. I no longer have jaw pain or headaches. The only symptom I still deal with is a jaw joint problem, which is due to a jaw growth issue I have. I am glad that my symptoms have diminished and hope to see them continue to diminish.
- Makayla M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am incredibly thankful for finally finding relief with Dr. Urbanek’s help and the TMJ device. It worked fantastically and elated to have diminished symptoms.
- Katlyn W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
In the spring of 2024, I began to notice that at every meal my jaw was locking out of place. I went to my dentist to figure out what was going on and he referred me to Dr.Urbanek. It was at my first appointment speaking to Dr. Urbanek that I realized all of my symptoms that I have had going on my whole life was all a result of TMJ- migraines, gravel noise, locked jaw, and inner ear pain. Dr. Urbanek’s plan and device has helped me tremendously and I am so happy to finally know AND understand what TMJ is and how it uniquely affects me. Thank you Dr. Urbanek for helping me and my jaw!
- Lillie G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I came here for the first time I couldn’t eat anything but soup or chili or something very soft. Every time I ate I would get a headache from chewing. Since I started wearing the device I now can eat whatever I want to and the headaches are completely gone. I wish I would have known about this sooner and I wouldn’t have had to suffer as long as I did.
- Ronnie F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I honestly had no idea that I had any issues beforehand but was recommended to make an appointment here due to an X Ray from my dentist. The Dr is amazing, the staff is so kind as well. I was very nervous and uncertain at my first appointment. My TMJ muscle was practically deteriorated, and I was constantly having to unhinge my jaw to eat, I had headaches constantly and my jaw was always SO sore. The first 3 weeks I noticed a drastic change. It’s been around 3 months now and I don’t struggle to eat, my head hurts ONLY when I need to eat, and my ears never feel clogged either even with the weather changing like crazy. I’m very grateful they discovered this option as a treatment for TMJ and it should be used far more often. I hope this practice gets the recognition it truly deserves for this device. 🙂
- Sydney B