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

Call us: 615-771-1983

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.

Ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Urbanek or Dr. Urbina?

Call our office at TMJ Services Phone Number 615-771-1983 or request an appointment online.

TMJ Services

5 out of 5 stars based on 760 TMJ reviews.

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I suffered many years before I found Drs. Urbina and Urbanek. Within 3 months I could eat without pain. Now at 5 months I’m 85% improved. I heal slowly because of an autoimmune disorder but I’m confident I will get to 95%. I hope the word gets out about this device. It can change lives. Thank you

- Lori I

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I highly recommend coming to TMJ Services of Brentwood. I was experiencing these headaches. They were so frequent and severe that I thought the air quality in my home was compromised and maybe I had mold. The headaches would extend to left shoulder. It was very painful. Finally, I made an appointment. I have had my TMJ device for over a month but within 2 weeks, I no longer had any neck pain or headaches. The staff was friendly and the wait time is nonexistent.

- Jacquelynn H

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Since I can remember I have always had a problem grinding my teeth at night time. In my early teens I started getting relentless headaches that continually worsened. The headaches then became accompanied by jaw pain. Now at age 28 and after the use of my mouth guard I can confidently say that since I have been using it I have no more jaw pains or headaches. I will recommend this to anyone having the same issues as me to come and be evaluated sooner rather than later!

- Taylor H

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Prior to my TMJ treatment with Dr. Urbina I was experiencing headaches and shoulder, neck, and back pain. In addition, I would bite my tongue and cheek in my sleep daily. Within weeks of using The TMJ device these symptoms were severely lessened or nonexistent. Nearly a year has passed, and I feel great as long as I wear the TMJ device.

- Angela G

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I have been a night grinder for years, and then my jaw was dislocated. I was having pain and popping in my jaw with trouble opening it fully. Sometimes I would have spasms that would snap my jaw shut. I was having ear and neck pain that went into my shoulders. I was also having tingling in my hands and arms. I’d been through a lot of testing trying to figure out what was going on, then my dentist recommended The Urbanek Device. After a few weeks of wearing it my symptoms were more manageable and then cleared up.

- Anonymous

4 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

My experience has been fabulous. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, provided excellent patient education and really listened to my issue. After 3 weeks of treatment, 100% of my symptoms decreased and my TMJ pain is 50% less. I was really expecting to be one of the patients that the treatment would take longer to feel better. I would definitely recommend TMJ Services for your TMJ needs.

- Michelle R

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I’ve been dealing with TMD for almost 25 years and I can honestly say that I’ve finally found a Doctor to help me and this issue and not mask it. I came in with constant clenching, jaw pain, headaches, bad quality of sleep, tightness in my jaw muscles and neck, and my jaw locking. Previous dentists recommended Botox shots to relax the muscles and a night guard. And the night guard was just masking the problem and protecting my teeth, but not helping to fix this issue. I was told a lot of people grind and clench their teeth, it’s normal. Luckily, my current dentist referred me to TMJ Services and it’s been night and day since. I don’t have constant jaw pain, I’m sleeping better, I don’t wake up with headaches or get them throughout the day, no constant jaw pain, and I’m able to open my mouth more. And I’m more aware of when I’m clenching so I can make sure I have my device in and am actively relaxing the muscles. I recommend this to everyone and I think every dentist needs to refer patients this route if they are experiencing these symptoms. This way we can start to heal and not mask the issue.

- Jamie P

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I came to see doctor do to some aching in my ear. I had seen primary doctor and dentist. My dentist recommended Dr. Urbina. On my first visit we talked about all my system from ear to shoulders to head. Since I started with my mouth piece I noticed some differences. On my second visit I am not having many headaches and pain both shoulders has gone. I am sleeping much better at night as well. I higher recommend coming for a visit.

- Mary N

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I lived 20 years with a pop in my left jaw and one day it just slipped, I came to Dr. Urbanek’s office and was evaluated and fit with a device that kept spac e between my back teeth. I was a jaw clenched and didn’t know it. After 6 months I found relief and have been pain free for pretty much the rest of the year. I’d say it’s another success story for the books, I’m very grateful for my device and still wear it through the night. Thank you for relieving my jaw pain!

- Laura D

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I have had jaw and back problems since middle school including my jaw popping continuously when I would eat food, my jaw lock out of place randomly, back pain, and tingling in my arms when my jaw was popping and locking frequently. Recently I was recommended to look into a TMJ solution. Up to this point, I had been told I would grow out of it or my back was just out of place. With Dr.Tony then learn TMJ relaxation may be the issue, where I have a tendency to bit and lock my jaw throughout the day was causing too much tension. In a matter of two weeks I could tell a huge difference in my headaches and tingling. Now two months later my jaw popping when eating has dramatically decreased as well. All without surgery!

- Andrew H

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on

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

5 out of 5 stars on