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 had been suffering for around 5 years with headaches,jaw pain and neck pain . I saw multiple doctors who had no answer . I visited my dentist multiple times and found out this was a result of clenching and TMJ. My dentist referred me to Dr. Urbanek Who recommended the the splint. I can say after wearing it for 3 months I’ve had great success and I’m no longer in that pain. I fully recommend the TMJ Splint to anyone who has these symptoms.
- Brandy J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had jaw pain since I was 11. My jaw would lock and hurt; it caused headaches, shoulder pain, and ear pain. I was recommended here when I was 15, and he gave me the splint. Within a week the symptoms started to go away. A month after wearing it my jaw rarely locks and doesn’t hurt anymore.
- Lydia S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had headaches for as long as I can remember, multiple times in a week, from elementary school years, and trouble with head and neck tension. In 2016, I developed a problem with my jaw not opening wide enough, barely two finger-widths. My regular dentist referred me to Dr. Urbanek for TMJD, and I was fitted for a dental splint. It changed my quality of life within a week. I never put together my neck tension and headaches with gritting my teeth. It’s a habit I developed to deal with stress, and I treated it with naproxen so often I developed a problem with acid reflux. Now, after two years with my device, I only have headaches rarely. I sleep better, I handle stressful times without head and neck tension, and I no longer rely on anti-inflammatory meds or muscle relaxants. I highly recommend Dr. Urbanek’s dental splint.
- Beth H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I suffered from pain on the left side of my face ear and neck for years thinking it was inflammation from sinus’ and allergies. I would have numbness and tingling in left shoulder and hand. I was recommended to Dr Urbanek. After an examination he confirmed my pain was coming from my joint and is commonly called TMJ problems. A mold was made of my mouth. A week later He gave me a splint to wear 24/7 except when eating, Within 3 days my pain was gone including the numbness and tingling in my arm. It has been amazing what a difference a small splint has made in my life.
- Rebecca B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Life experiences can produce a myriad of emotions. Even though there are great rewards in our journey, sometimes we reap anxieties and unmet expectations that remain unresolved. Those emotions can riddle your body with physical pain. Getting to the point of recovery can be arduous and overwhelming. Dr Urbanek gave me a the gift of his Urbanek splint. Within a few hours of placing his device on my palette, the tortuous pain that had afflicted my head, neck and shoulders for decades began melting away. Yep, I said melting. Now, three weeks later I am virtually pain free. Thank you Doctor Urbanek for introducing me to a whole new world of physical well-being. And thank you Lord for your faithfulness
- Beth S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to Dr Urbanek after my regular dentist referred me. I’ve always had jaw popping which had never been uncomfortable until suddenly it starting leading to migraines and locking of my jaw while trying to eat. Upon meeting Dr Urbanek, he thoroughly walked me through an understanding of TMD and described my symptoms to a tee as possibilies to TMD. I quickly decided to try his splint to hopefully gain some relief. The migraines weren’t being relieved by meds. I wore the splint 24/7 for three months (which was very comfortable) and have no longer had migraines for 2.5 months now! His staff is very friendly and I highly recommend him!
- Rachel H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Thirty years ago, I bit into a thick sandwich with my mouth wide open, that resulted on an abnormal sound in the back of my jaw. From them began a discomfort that gradually increased with time. The dental professional I saw couldn’t help me until my new dentist in franklin, tan recommended Dr. Tony Urbanek. My symptoms included consistent headaches( almost daily), pain when biting and eventually my teeth and jaws no longer aligned with each other. Dr Urbanek explained that after so many years of not finding care, my jaws were permanently damaged, after taking x-rays. The splint he developed for me eventually got rid of my symptoms. Having occasional headaches, was huge for me. Not to mention my bite corrected. Please don’t wait to see Dr. Urbanek! And thank you Dr. Urbanek.
- Tayrien C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Several years in a typical night guard to protect against teeth grinding just didn’t do it fo me. After consulting with my dentist we decided that Dr Urbanek just might be a good fit for me. I came in with many of the typical symptoms and after several months treatment with Dr Urbanek’s device, I feel so much better and can even see the difference in my jawline. So glad I tried this treatment.
- Wendy N