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 Phone Number 615-771-1983 or request an appointment online.
TMJ Services
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very helpful and pleasant staff. Significant reduction in pain since beginning to use the device.
- Jocelyn G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had thought I had an ear infection for over two months and went to 4different doctors until is was referred by my dentist to Dr. Urbanek. I had looked up TMJ symptoms and I had them all. I came into the office and Dr. Urbanek was so informative and diagnosed me. I was then fit for a splint for my mouth. It was simple and easy. I got my splint 2 weeks later and it is amazing how my symptoms have gone away. I am at my 3 week follow up appointment and I am 95% better. It is amazing how something so simple as a splint can change the way I feel. Before, I was miserable and now I’m so much better. No pain! Thank you so much for helping me.
- Mason B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
results n first three weeks, very good, great progress
- Sandra G G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The headaches are gone thanks to Dr. Urbanek. I would recommend him to anyone.
- Pauline W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Over the years, I have developed a number of symptoms such as headaches, ear aches, neck pain, and my jaw would frequently “catch” when I tried to chew my food. Upon telling Dr. Urbanek everything that was going on, he confidently diagnosed my condition and had his very talented team create a mouthpiece for me to wear. After only three weeks of wearing the mouthpiece, my symptoms have all but completely disappeared. My overall quality of life has definitely improved as a direct result of trusting in Urbanek and company’s process. I would recommend visiting his office to anyone who even suspects there is something wrong with their TMJ. -Jeffrey D
- Jeffrey D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr Urbanek and his staff are great. Most of the symptoms and pain I had have disappeared in a couple of months!
- Kristy C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Wonderful experience with Dr. Urbanek and staff. I had many symptoms and with my appliance they are now gone or under control. I had lived with these issues for years ringing and fullness in my ears along with neck and shoulder pain. I am now pain free. The fullness and ringing are decreased and are still decreasing . Do not continue in pain. There is help.
- Jessica J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have been suffering from migraines since I was 16, finally I was diagnosed in my early 20s with Chronic Migraine syndrome. I would have major outbreaks every few years that would require me to take a medical leave for a couple of months until my medicine was adjusted. Well November of 2017 I had an outbreak again. I missed work for 6 weeks and when I returned I still had an average of 4 migraines a week. I was told that “this” was going to my life. When the ear clicking started I was finally referred to an ENT which immediately referred me to Dr Urbanek. After about 6 months of suffer from migraines non stop i finally have relief and I am not on migraine medicine. The Urbanek device has done what no doctor in 23 years have been able to do,, I am only 39 and life has just been given to me!!!
- Christina M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am so pleased with my results after years of suffering with jaw pain, migraines, and dizziness. Only three weeks in my splint and I am a firm believer it is life changer. Thank you Dr. Tony Urbanek for making a difference.
- Joanne E
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The TMJ splint has helped my jaw and ear pain tremendously. I suffered with pain for 15 years. So glad I found Dr. Urbanek.
- Lauren S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to Dr. Urbanek with jaw joint pain and ear pain. Dr. Urbanek fitted me with a splint that I have worn for several weeks. After wearing the device I long longer have any of the symptoms I came in with. I no longer have to worry about the jaw pain or my jaw cracking. My pain deminshed significantly within a matter of days to the point now where I have no pain at all.
- Jennifer K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After several weeks with the device my symptoms have already improved dramatically. I have intermittently experienced vertigo over the years and I didn’t even know it could be related to TMJ inflammation. The pain and headaches are almost resolved. I have tried other bite guards in the past and this is by far the most comfortable. It took me a couple of days to learn how to talk well with it in but it has definitely been worth the trouble!
- Sarah B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Had headaches and neck pain forever and one bout with locking nearly 20 years ago. Last fall I started chewing gum frequently and my jaw locking resurfaced. The pain was awful and I was unable to open mouth to eat or yawn without a pop and severe pain. After a few months of treatment my jaw is opening without the pop. The pain is almost gone. Add to that my neck and headache pain seems to have diminished too. It’s funny what you begin to accept as normal over the course of years.
- Marjorie R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
A friend of mine referred me to Dr Urbanek for my headaches. I was having about 2 migraines a week and had constant tension in my neck and right shoulder trap/scapula area. I have been wearing my device approximately 6 weeks and have noticed a considerable difference in headaches and tension with approximately 80% reduction in symptoms. I have a long history of headaches going back almost 30 years. I would highly reccommend this device , Dr Urbanek and his staff.
- Lori K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After having frequent headaches since high school and dental pain for 10years , the headaches have decreased significantly and the dental pain is gone! Also can tell a significant difference in the tension level and stiffness in my neck . This all thanks to Dr. Urbanek and his TMJ splint.
- Tracy B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am a 78 year old retired ministers wife who has been bothered with TMJ for years, I am proud to find Dr Urbanek to help me with my problems, it is wonderful to be able to eat certain foods that I have not eaten in a long time. Also the Splint is very easy to wear and to take care of, at this point I feel like I am 96% well with my TMJ problem.
- Lynda P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The device has contributed to a huge improvement in my recurrent headaches and earaches. Prior to seeing Dr. Urbanek, I had almost daily headaches that would worsen throughout the day and what felt like a constant ear infection. A few weeks into treatment the headaches began to decrease in frequency. Nine weeks into treatment, my headaches are infrequent and my earache is gone. I had been dealing with headaches related to TMJ for years, so I am very pleased with the results.
- Mark W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The Splint has immensely improved my symptoms! After 18 years worth of symptoms from TMJ and jaw clenching, my jaw tension is reduced and tinnitus and headaches have gone away completely in just 3 weeks of wearing the Splint.
- Raynor M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My jaw has hurt for years with regular headaches and my jaw locking. I decided to see Dr Urbanek hoping for any improvement but not really thinking anything could be done. Within a week of getting treatment I noticed a huge improvement. My headaches went away, my jaw didn’t hurt as much, and my jaw rarely locked up. Now a few months later, I have almost no jaw pain. I am very happy with how things have worked out and I highly recommend seeing Dr Urbanek for treatment.
- Kaitlin B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was in tremendous pain and depression for over a year with right jaw teeth ear and neck pain. I saw chiropractors dentists physical therapists and medical doctors. Medicine stretches physical therapy dental work steroid and Botox injections and regular mouth guards from a local dentists. nothing worked for long. I was at a lost until I saw a story on Dr Urbanek’s website that sounded so familiar to my own. I made an appointment because I had nothing else to lose and had ran out of options. It was the best decision I’ve made regarding my health. All my pain is gone and I’m back happy and healthy. I hope this story can help someone else make that last resort decision like it did for me. Thank you Dr. Urbanek and staff for helping me getting my life back.
- Michelle H