TMJ
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.
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 Jaw Pain You Think May be TMJ?
Schedule a TMJ evaluation Today
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
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.
Call our office at TMJ Services Phone Number 615-771-1983 or request an appointment online.
TMJ Services
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have suffered for years from TMJ, inflammation causing earaches, ringing in ear, migraines, neck and shoulder pain. It’s amazing how using the TMJ splint has helped in reducing so much of the pain and discomfort. I highly recommend this device to anyone who has any of these symptoms. You will be pleasantly surprised by the relief and results.
- Elizabeth S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Urbanek is very knowledgeable and was able to explain what was going on with my jaw pain. His device has helped reduce my jaw pain and I was highly recommended his device to anyone who is having jaw pain, locking of the jaw, etc. His staff is super nice and friendly.
- Mary Ann M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I wish I would have done this years ago!! After only a few weeks I am so much better! No more morning head aches, neck pain or ringing in my ears! I have stopped relaying on advil for my pain control! I was in a lot of pain most evening and I would massage my jaw with little relief, I am happy to say I don’t do that anymore!
- Amy M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in with pain and unable to open my mouth all the way. I received my appliance and within two weeks I had relief from pain and major discomfort. My only regret is that I didn’t come sooner.
- Karen C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I went to my doctor for chronic ear pain. He sent me to an ENT who immediately recommended Dr. Urbanek for TMJ. I came in Dr. Urbanek went over the whole procedure thoroughly and how the mouth piece would work. Once I received it I immediately started wearing it. Three weeks later I am pain free. For seven months I had constant ear pain, in three weeks I have no ear pain.
- Tonya R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My experience has helped me avoid lock jaw that I had started experiencing quite often. My jaws ached and I could not close my mouth or even eat properly without pain. The Dr fitted me with a device that I have worn for about ten weeks full time to keep me from gritting my teeth especially at night time. I am now wearing the device only at night and have no trouble sleeping nor has my jaws locked up on me anymore. I have appreciated being able to sleep restfully and not dread waking up with jaw pain. Thank you for helping me. It has made such a big difference.
- Kathy S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
This process to treat my TMD has been very helpful and effective. It has cleared up about 85-90% of my symptoms and pain. I highly recommend this treatment. Thanks!
- Nathan S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I originally went to my dentist with complaints that my teeth no longer lined up. Essentially, when I tried to bite down, my front teeth hit before my back teeth. It was causing a lot of discomfort. When I told my dentist she exclaimed, “that should not be happening!” For 5 years, no-one believed my problem was a real problem. Dr. Amy Coogler (Dentist) is fantastic and told me to seek out a TMJ consult. Upon self reflection, I realized I wasn’t just clenching my jaw at night. I was clenching my jaw at all times. During my first visit with Dr. Urbina (TMJ), he explained to me all the issues that can be linked/associated with TMJ. I thought it had just been a byproduct of a bad tooth removal 5 years previous, but he theorizes that I’ve been clenching my jaw for the majority of my life based off of bone growth. I was told my jaw muscles are too strong and thus causes the bones to develop more to compensate. The amount of inflammation in my jaw muscle was far greater than I knew. One of my complaints was this seemingly random facial pain that was localized below my left eye. It was inconsistent and a sharp pain. Google would suggest that I have brain cancer. Dr. Urbina explained that the TM Joint is so integrated with the surrounding area, that it is entirely possible to have been caused by my sever jaw clenching. I was also intermittently dizzy later diagnosed with an inner ear crystals problem. Who’s to say this also was not related to my clenching? It potentially could have been a driving factor. Regardless, after using the Urbanek device, the pain below my left eye has completely resolved. I have not had a single event of it since beginning treatment. Dizziness is still happening every couple of months but seems to be related to lying down too quickly instead. The inflammation of my jaw is still semi-present but the overall soreness and uncomfortable nature of my jaw muscles has improved. I now wear the device at night three days in a row and take a day off in between. I will continue to come to his office and talk about my progress. We have now scheduled an orthodontist referral to assess what improvements can be done with fixing my bite. I thank Dr. Urbina for his expertise and teaching skills. I have learned a lot about this and try to spread the message that this pain is remarkably treatable.
- Brett B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in with major jaw popping and pain from inflammation. I was also having quite a few headaches from all the pain and soreness in my jaw. Since I have been using this splint I don’t have the pain from the inflammation anymore, the popping in my jaw has very little anymore. I am not having any headaches from having pain in my jaw either. I am very happy to have came and gotten help with the splint.
- Jennifer H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in to the office having headaches at the base of my neck and ear pain every single day. Since wearing the device, the ear pain and headaches are completely gone. I was nervous about wearing the device, especially trying to sleep with it, but it’s super comfortable. I am very impressed!
- Shelly H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to see Dr Urbanek after experiencing pain symptoms in my left jaw area. I had popping sounds whenever I opened my mouth and continued pain throughout the day. Dr Urbanek examined me and fit me with the device. I was told to wear 24/7 for 3 wks. After 2 weeks, I could see a tremendous improvement. I continue to wear my device as requested and after 3 weeks I have no pain- minimal soreness, mostly im the morning after grinding the night before (I know this because of marks on the appliance). I am so thankful for this treatment and the success . My smile is bigger, and no more pain! What a great success story!
- Janet S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had headaches, neck pain and right shoulder pain for almost thirty years. I have ringing in my ears and sinus issues. It wasn’t until I started having severe right jaw pain that I finally got relief from these multiple symptoms. After three weeks of wearing the Urbanek TMJ splint, the pain has drastically gone away. My jaw pain went away in the first week! The neck and shoulder pain is at a minimum. I no longer take pain medication daily, it’s been about a week since I have taken any pain medication. The sinus issues are coming down too. I highly recommend the Urbanek Device. I am looking forward to the being system free in the coming weeks. Thank you Dr. Urbanek!
- Ben W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After suffering with extreme jaw, neck and ear pain, as well as other symptoms, a friend of mine told me about the success she had with a TMJ device from Dr Urbanek. I had tried night guards, Physical Therapy and Botox. This device has helped me more than the rest of those treatments combined. I feel so much better! It’s a simple solution. I’m very thankful that it worked.
- Haley L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When my dentist referred me here, my TMJ symptoms were so severe that I could not open my mouth wide enough to use a fork or spoon, and my jaw would lock when I opened it too wide. I had a plethora of other symptoms daily, including piercing jaw pain, that have dissipated over the last several months due to the use of my TMJ device. I am grateful for Dr. Urbina and recommended that anyone suffering from TMJ, consider using this device. It has improved my quality of life tremendously.
- Jackson M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had left jaw pain, clicking of my jaw, stress in my neck & regular headaches. Within 3 months of using the splint 24 hrs a day, the jaw pain & clicking disappeared. Within months more, the headaches stopped & the stress in my neck has almost discontinued. I have accidentally forgotten to put it in a few nights. On those nights I have awakened after a few hours & identified that the splint was missing & immediately got up to put it in to get a peaceful night’s sleep!
- Betty Z
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had been in a lot of pain for years, with headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain etc… tried so many options to treat TMD, and nothing had worked. Decided to give DR Urbanek treatment a try! Glad I did! Three weeks ago I got my device, I’m only wearing it afternoons and nights due to its really hard to talk with it in, my job requires me to talk. However with in 3 weeks this device has took 90% of the pain away! I highly recommend this device!
- Rikki J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I first came my ear hurt and jaw was swollen and ear ringing and headaches. Now everything is gone except the ear ringing. I am very happy with the process.
- Sun A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Nice and most importantly knowledgeable staff. The results should speak for themselves. I came to Dr Urbanek desperate being my mouth would only open 35 mm. Unable to eat without discomfort. The device is simple to use and effective. After three weeks I have regained full range of motion in my jaw.
- Anonymous
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in with severe jaw and shoulder pain, not able to open my mouth very wide and popped every time I opened my mouth. After wearing weeks all time then just wearing at night I can say no more shoulder or jaw pain. This device is wonderful and well worth the money, I never would have thought it but it has been a life changer.
- Tammy H
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