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
Gets to the root cause quickly and helped resolve severe jaw pain
- Michael J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I feel like a new person after treatment for my TMJ. I experienced pain relief within a couple days of beginning my treatment and continued to improve throughout the process. Treatment itself was simple and pain free. So pleased with my results!
- Sue S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have experienced pain for at least 12 years or more. I had headaches and shoulder and neck pain everyday. I sought medical help when the ringing in my ears became unbearable. I was referred to Dr. Urbanek. He fitted me with the Urbanek splint. After 1-2 weeks my shoulder pain was gone and I was headache free. I had no idea I was clenching my teeth or that it was the source of so many issues for me. I didn’t realize how much pain it was causing. At 6 weeks my ear ringing is still there but has gotten less and less. I feel confident that’s it will go away in time as well. This treatmeant really works and has been a life changer for me. Ing
- Rebecca A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Urbanek is excellent at treating TMJ. When I first came to see him I could not even open my jaw completely. His splint device corrected the problem within a month or two and now I only have to wear at night. Highly recommend if you’re having the same issues
- Betty W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to see Dr Urbanek because of jaw pain. I had previously had jaw surgery which helped for a few years but then the pain returned. Dr. Urbanek fit me with a retainer and told me no surgery would be needed and by wearing this device the pain would lessen and eventually go away. And he was right. So thankful for the relief.
- Judith
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was having headaches and earaches that were worsening over the last 12 years. I’m just 2 months in now and no earaches and rarely have a headache from time to time. I’m so thankful for the experience and knowledge of Dr. Urbanek and his office. Looking forward to continuous improvement over the coming months.
- Nick M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Urbanek helped me relieve my TMJ symptoms of ringing in the ear, jaw pain and headaches. He worked with me since I have sleep apnea oral device and I wear my TMJ Splint during the day. I have decreased my pain and discomfort by 90% in the last 6 months.
- Tricia M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had pain all the time....headaches, jaw aches, fullness in my ears, tingling and numbness in my Armand after 9 weeks of wearing the device I am 90% pain free most of the time!The device was comfortable to wear and I did not find myself removing it from my mouth while I was half asleep at night!
- Amy C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a very positive experience with Dr. Urbanek’s Splint after suffering from jaw joint pain for years. After a few months the pain was almost completely eliminated and I no longer have to carry ibuprofen everywhere I go. Thank you Dr. Urbanek!
- Kaitlyn C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After being diagnosed with Menieres Disease at the age of 17, I have been told over the years that it would only get worse and I would have to live with symptoms. My symptoms included (but not limited to) migraines, severe vertigo, muffled hearing and shoulder and neck pain, not to mention several others. I was tired of medicines that didn’t work and was not wanting surgery. After comin to Dr. Urbanek and finding it was a dysfunctional jaw joint, (not menieres disease at all) he fit me with a mouthpiece. In the first few weeks, most of symptoms were relieved and now at 2 months, I am at about 85% symptom free and can live my life again. Thank you to Dr. Urbanek and his staff!
- Amy T
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