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
Dr. Urbanek has changed my life. My jaw constantly popped and hurt and I thought it would be something I’d have live with forever. I’m so ecstatic to say my TMJ is gone. If you want God to heal you, well he’s using Dr. Urbanek. Lisa S.
- Lisa S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After trying multiple night-guards over a decade, I was referred to Dr. U. At that time, I had been unable to eat normally for over six months due to jaw pain. I was in constant pain. Within weeks of getting the new appliance my symptoms started to subside. Within a month, I was eating normally. Admittedly, I was a sceptic at the onset. That was short lived. This has honestly changed my quality of life.
- LM B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Here is my story: I was experiencing pain in my jaw, severe headaches, tightness in shoulders and my right ear rang so bad it would wake me up in the middle of the night. I’m a mommy four children and we homeschool. These symptoms were taking over my life. I had had a very bad car accident in my early twenties and ever since then the TMJ progressively got worse. After several failed attempts to remedy the problem I found Dr. Urbanek and read about the specialized device he had for TMJ. As a busy wife, mom and homeschool mom I knew surgery was not an option at this season of my life so in Faith I tried The Urbanek device. After only six months of wearing my device and being completely coachable on all the instructions, I’m estactic to report that every single symptom is gone. It’s hard to believe because I lived with that pain and discomfort for so long. My hubby is happy too. I’m truly grateful and Blessed to have been lead to Dr. Anthony Urbanek. God Bless him and his sweet staff, Toni Stockton
- Toni Stockton
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to Dr. Urbanek after years of continued pain in what I thought was my left ear. I had severe headaches, ear aches, pain in my shoulders, etc. I had been injured in a car wreck back in 2005 & I assumed some of my pain was from the wreck. I finally gave in and had to go to the doctor because I thought something major was wrong with my head or my ear. My PMC doctor sent me to see Dr. Urbanek and after a brief discussion, he made me realize that I had been going to all the wrong doctors over the years. I had almost all of the symptoms of jaw joint pain, but I didn’t know that was what it was until coming here. Now, after a little over 2 months with the wearing the splint, almost 90% of my symptoms are gone! I am so glad to finally understand and be able to deal with the actual issue and I wouldnt have without coming to Dr. Urbanek.
- Kimberly M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I’ve had headaches, ear ringing, arm/shoulder pain, and numbness in my hands for about fifteen years. Having an ENT father, I’ve seen specialists and used the typical splints. They have never really worked very well. The Urbanek device is the first solution to adequately address my symptoms. I will definitely recommend this treatment for anyone suffering from TMJ disorder.
- Jonathan S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I started clenching my teeth in my 20’s when I hurt my back. I never stopped and clench with pain and stress. It got to the point of jaw, neck, shoulder, and head pain in addition to other symptoms. I could only drink my food and needed a better solution than the typical mouth guard. Dr. Urbanek had the solution and I can proudly say my original symptoms are 90% gone. I still clench a lot, but now I am without the pain. And I am so happy to eat real food again!
- Johanna T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The main purpose of my visit was tinnitus - I was referred by my ENT. I had no idea that my jaw joint was such an integral part of my overall head issues. I had a jaw that popped for 40 years. Over the years I had talked to several doctors, none of which took it seriously nor did they tell me I could do something about it. I didn’t even know it was a TMJ situation. So I come in for tinnitus, and find that the jaw joint is worn out and I need to stop the deterioration as soon as possible. The jaw popping stopped within four days. Random neck and shoulder pains drastically reduced. The ringing in my ears is still there, but Dr Urbanek told me that 40 or 50 years of ringing will be the longest symptoms to solve. I use the device every night and plan to forever. I am very satisfied with the level of care from Dr. Urbanek and his staff.
- Jeffrey B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I woke up and the pain in my jaw was crippling; intense jaw pain, headaches, and ear pain. The fear set in and I didn’t know what to do. After visiting with my dentist, I was referred to Dr. Urbanek and he suggested his incredible jaw splint. This device is legendary and completely changed my jaw pain. After just 3 weeks of having the splint in, 80% of my symptoms have disminished/went away!! I could not be more happy and relieved that I was referred to Dr. Urbanek! So if you have felt any discomfort in your jaw, ear, or headaches, please visit Dr. Urbanek! You won’t regret it! Thank you, Dr. Urbanek!
- Michaela M