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
Amazing!!!!! I got my life back. You hear all the time how your teeth effect your health. It is not a myth. I was around 12years of age when I kept getting head aches. I was told on several times it was all in my head. Young children don’t get head aches. I did it all including physical therapy. When I came to see Dr. Urbanek, He completed all of my sentences. I cried because he had never met me nor had any idea of what I’ve been through. Dr. Urbanek told me in one session everything that I’ve been experiencing throughout my life. Honestly I didn’t believe him when he showed me my little mouth piece. I went home and kept experiencing the pain and symptoms with dizziness. I came back to his office and told him I ready for change because I couldn’t continue the way I was. I’m so glad that I trust him and his staff. I’m a better and I thank him and his staff.
- Stacey Y
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have been having pain in my jaws for over 45 years or more . I have been going to dentist after dentist sometime even specialist. One day my sister-in-law’s told me about her dentist and I went to her and I told her I was having a lot of jaw pain so she referred me to Dr Urbanek and I am so glad I can to see him. He made me this splint for my mouth and it has help so much and it has help with my vertigo and it has change my life so much my jaw pain is so much better after only three weeks of wearing my splint I thank God that I have found someone to help me . Thank you Dr Urbanek for helping me you are a blessing from God . Thank you so much.
- Carolyn M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Urbanek has helped me tremendously with my jaw problems. In my case, there were two symptoms of particular concern. One was that the arm and hand on my sleeping side would fall asleep no matter what I tried to do to prevent it from happening. Dr. Urbanek’s TMJ splint stopped that within a few days. Another symptom that was mystifying the doctors and nurse practitioner who were trying to solve it was my jaws snapping shut as I was falling asleep. This caused me to bite the inside of my mouth and was what led me to Dr. Urbanek via a recommendation from my dentist when over the counter devices didn’t help. Although my jaws still snap, the TMJ splint protects the inside of my mouth from injury. The device was a big expense for my budget, but that’s on the insurance industry and politicians. He works with his patients on payment options, and the consequences of not doing the splint include surgery. No thanks!
- Cindy W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have suffered from migraines and jaw pain most of my teens and adult life. I had shoulder pain, neck pain with numbness and tingling and saw doctor after doctor with minimal relief. I had ACDF surgery and take a daily migraine prevention but still suffered from daily migraines was sent to an ENT after doctor two sinus surgeries within a year the migraines and ear pain were still there so his PA referred me to Dr. Urbanek. I was fitted for the Urbaneck device and within a week my symptoms improved tremendously by the time I saw Dr. Urbanek for my 3 week follow up I was thrilled my symptoms had improved by 99% and two months later I am still happy to say I am pain free. I cannot thank Dr. Urbanek enough for helping me after suffering twenty plus years with migraines I am migraine free for the first time.
- Sandy S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I first came to Dr. Urbanek, I was dealing with awful, piercing pain in my jaw, headaches, numbness and tingling in my left arm and fingers, lock jaw, and swimmer’s ear. I learned that this was all because of my TMJ. Dr. Urbanek was frank and thorough with my diagnosis. I was fitted for the TMJ splint, wore it faithfully, and some of my symptoms began to go away even after the first few days of wearing it. As I wore it more, more symptoms disappeared. I am so thankful for this office! The whole staff and especially Julie up front was so helpful and patient when explaining the financial side of things to me. I appreciate so much the help that I’ve been given to get the healing I’ve been seeking for so long! I will and have recommended the TMJ Splint to my friends and family. They’ve seen what it has done for me.
- Jillian J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was having headaches and clicking once again. I returned to consult with Dr. Urbanek. So Dr Urbanek suggested his patented mouth guard which I got and then gradually my headaches, neck tensions and clicks subsided. I definitely recommend this device for post TMJ issues like mine and for singers too!,
- Debra T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My dentist referred me to Dr. Urbanek when I mentioned I had jaw popping. I’d had it my whole life, but it started to become painful. I had little to no knowledge of TMJ disorders, but under Dr. Urbanek’s care, not only is my jaw pain gone, but the headaches I’ve had my whole life that I attributed to just bad genes are gone as well.
- Meg A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in with jaw pain arm pain tingling in my fingers job hopping and after getting this device for my TMJ I am already 90% better I sleep better I feel better and Dr Urbanek’s Device has made all the difference in the world I recommend it if you have any problems with TMJ you can sleep apnea I think this device is for you
- Mary. beth M