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?
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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 Office Phone Number 615-771-1983 or request an appointment online.
TMJ Services
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I’m so grateful for the care I received at TMJ Services. I was in such discomfort from all the grinding I do on my back teeth. After a few months using TMJ’s specially fitted mouth guard, the discomfort was gone, leaving only a minimal amount of residual “noise” when I open my jaw. What a relief.
- Jonathan B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am very thankful I was referral to Anthony Urbanek . I was having lots of jaw pain over a year ago . The device I have been using has help me a lot . Thank you for helping me.
- Mary D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had my jaw lock up. I had jaw pain, headaches, pain radiating down my neck. I couldn’t chew as well. I was given this appliance to wear in my mouth by Dr. Urbanke. After approximately 7 weeks I felt much of the pain subside. When I 1st came in I also had crackling sounds and pain in my ears. That pain has also subsided. I feel at this stage of my treatment I am 70% better. I will continue to follow the directions given by Dr Urbanke as I improve more .
- Vicki R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
This has been a good experience. Went from having my jaw locking up n frequent ear aches to relief. Has been a long time coming. Lots of headaches n ear aches n jaw popping getting better every day.
- Dana A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have been very impressed with my experience at TMJ Services of Brentwood. I came into my consultation appointment having the symptoms of consistent headaches and my jaw moving and locking. Four weeks later, my headaches have subsided drastically and my jaw has not locked since using the device. I can tell a difference in my bite and how there is less stress and tension on my muscles. I am very pleased with the results so far and am excited to see how wearing the device will improve my jaw and muscles in the future.
- Faithlyn H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Before I got this device I couldn’t open my jaw, it hurt sometimes and I couldn’t eat some things because I couldn’t open it, I also had clicking ion my jaw too. But literally after first month of device, 90% of my symptoms were gone. Truly amazing how simple it is to fix such a annoying condition.
- Noah R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was having severe ear pain, neck pain, popping in my jaw, and some headaches. I started using the device and wear it every night. Since I have started wearing it I have no ear pain, which was keeping me up at night. So now I am rested. I no longer have neck pain or popping in my jaw. My headaches have decreased considerably. This device has helped me to experience a better quality of life. I am very satisfied with my results.
- Eva F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I first came to TMJ Services of Brentwood I was experiencing jaw pain, ear pain, ringing in my ears, ear pressure, jaw clicking, jaw popping and headaches when I awoke I’m the mornings. I had gone to to the ER for my ear ear pressure and I also saw an ENT who told me he thought he I had TMJ and recommended I go to a TMJ specialist. I mentioned all of this to my dentist and they referred me to TMJ Services of Brentwood. Since I have started wearing the Urbanek TMJ Device my symptoms are 90 percent better. The doctors and staff are great and I highly recommend them to anyone suffering with TMJ pain.
- Anna B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I love my mouth piece, I have only had it for 3 weeks and I have seen such a improvement. My improvement I would have to say is at least 50%! I thought when I came to Mr Urbanek office it would wind up being another failure for me! My teeth grinding the most but I was wrong it’s been the best money spent thus far! So I am excited to see what’s down the road from here for me! The people here are awesome, friendly the smiles say it all! I’m just a country girl and boy I have a ball talking to these ladies!
- Tanya K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Edward Urbana has been working with me for the past 6 months. TMJ Services of Brentwood staff has continuously being caring and willing to accommodate my follow up schedule visits. I had been met with one of the top office and bed side manner experiences in medical care over my life time. Kudos to the care team! My experience began after numerous visits to physical therapy looking for relief daily head pressure at various locations to the painful rotation of the neck, especially to the left. Dr. Urbina has been patient with me explaining the steps of wearing the guard and the modifications needed to make sure it sits just right as my jaw adjusts. He had been able to reduce the inflammation experienced for years following multiple whiplashes from car related injuries. At one time I was getting by the day after being worn out from head pressure and neck pain. The pain had severely lessened and I find myself waking up with less stiffness in the neck. I continue to notice the positive changes in my posture and am much more aware of holding my head upright. Thank you for all your wonderful care!
- Aleksandra Y
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had severe pain in my neck, ear and jaw. I visited several doctors, chiropractors and even an ENT specialist to try to fix my symptoms. I was finally referred to Dr. Urbanek by my dentist and it was the best decision I have made. I know he says symptoms go away at different times but almost all of mine were gone within 2 months. I am very glad I made the decision to come here and I am living a much better quality of life!
- Adam P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Having had this only a short time and so severe with many symptoms, I am so pleased at the results of having this device for a little over 2 months and now they are 95% gone. Kudos to the team here for their excellent work in getting me pain free!
- Anonymous
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I came in, it was on a referral from an ENT for ear pain and pressure I had been experiencing for several months. After examining the ears and finding nothing, they felt TMJ was the root cause of the pain. I had also been having neck pain that was causing so much discomfort I was losing several hours of sleep each night that I didn’t realize was also related at the time. After an evaluation with Dr. Urbina, the device felt like the right next step. The first night of sleeping with it proved correct because it was the first full night of restful sleep I’d had in months where I didn’t wake up with neck pain from clenching my teeth. I’ve been wearing it for about two months now and would say my ear issues have improved about 80%. Overall, it was a great choice for me and I didn’t realize how bad I was actually clenching and grinding my teeth until wearing it.
- Danielle L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Before I came in to see the doctors at TMJ services of Brentwood I could not live my life for the pain I was experiencing. My migraines would put me in bed for days. But thanks to the wonderful people here I have had minimal pain and I am continuing to see great progress and I have only been seeing them for about 8 months now!
- Kendra B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Visiting this doctor was immensely helpful. When first coming to see him, I was experiencing jaw pain in the mornings when I would wake up and popping in my jaw that was very painful. After seeing him, my jaw is a lot less painful and I no longer notice jaw pain first thing in the morning.
- Anonymous
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The device helped me a lot with the symptoms that I had before with my Vertigo and I was losing my hearing and thankfully to the device I feel better than I was before and I really recommend this place.
- Martha G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am doing a 100% percent better and the mouthpiece is working great: I would highly recommend Dr. Urbina:
- Henry H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a very well experience with the TMJ Services. I have struggled with my ears and jaw hurting for 3 year and I went to many doctors and they all said that there was nothing wrong . I went to this doctor and I was already feeling better with my ears and jaw pain after a few weeks I can never tell you enough how much this has helped me .Thank you
- Mckenlee bowen
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I started having symptoms one day when I was 15. I woke up and couldn’t unlock my jaw. I lived with pain in the right side of my jaw until my junior year of college where the other side started locking up and hurting. I couldn’t eat and I could hardly talk. I had headaches, pain, ear aches, and many other symptoms. I came here hoping to get some pain relief and this device has changed my life. 99% of my symptoms have been relieved within 6 months. I’m extremely happy with the care I have received and recommend this to anyone who has been experiencing any jaw popping, pain, or tenderness for several years.
- Kenzie D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After wearing this device for two months, my headaches are gone and I can feel that my jaw is in a relaxed state when not wearing it. Overall, I feel so much better than before.
- T L