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
I would recommend Dr Urbanek to anyone that is having a lot of pain in their jaws He has helped me to not grind my teeth at night. I have worn my mouthpiece with no problems or discomfort
- Irene S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have been so pleased with my care and overall results with mouth piece. My symptoms included head and temple pain also jaw and even my shoulders were having pain. These have all stopped and I belief I will continue to improve.
- Sheila W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Using the Splint has helped me very much I am not having head ache and I am sleeping better at night.
- Malicia C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had over 6 years of headaches, jaw pain, and tenderness from constant clenching during my sleep and everyday activities. After several cracked teeth and countless visits to dentists, endodontists, and orthodontists, I was recommended to see Dr. Urbanek. I didn’t have much hope that things could improve for me, simply because I couldn’t believe that all my pain and discomfort was simply clenching my jaw. After months of wearing my device and being seen by Dr. Urbanek and his wonderful team, I am now pain free and do not have the symptoms I’ve had for years. I’m very grateful and could not recommend this service more. It truly changes your life!
- Hope B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
10 years ago I met Dr. Urbanek and could not open my mouth but just hair. I had the surgery recovered and here I am 10 years later with the same issues on the opposite side. Headaches, jaw pain, ear pain, dizzy, tingles through the arm and even numbness in the fingers. Came in the office and left feeling super hopeful! I have been wearing my device for 3 weeks now and it has been a night and day difference! The fact that I do not have to have another surgery if even better! This device has been a life saver along with Dr. Urbanek and his wonderful staff.
- Kayla M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After so many issues involving mouth pain, body aches, headaches, teeth pain, the list goes on.. I decided to ask my dentist about what I should do, which he then referred me to Dr. Anthony Urbanek. To begin with, I was very skeptical but curious of Dr. Urbanek’s TMJ splint device. I was unaware that I even had TMJ. But after Dr Urbanek explained all of the symptoms, I knew it was important to dissolve them and get rid of the pain caused from TMJ. It has now been 4 months with the TMJ device and 90+ percent of my symptoms have dissolved. I don’t wake up with throbbing and inflamed jaw pain. I don’t have headaches, or body pain. I am beyond amazed, and thrilled and can now share my success story with people who may be having the same issues that I’ve had from the start of my teen years. I can’t imagine not having this splint. Thank you to the office of and to Dr. Anthony Urbanek. You have improved my overall health for an affordable cost with easy financing options. I am forever grateful.
- David H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr Urbina and his TMJ device saved my life. For 7 months I had terrible ear pain and headaches. It was constant and was making me depressed. I went to 2 ENT doctors and multiple family practice doctors. No one could diagnose me. They kept giving me antibiotics for sinus and ear infections that I did not really have. Eventually my dentist suggested I might have TMJ. He referred me to Dr Urbina. The day before my appointment I read over Dr Urbina’s testimonials. I finally had some hope. All those stories sounded just like mine. I had my device about 2 weeks later. I knew I would be one of those success stories one day and here I am! It took about 6 months and my pain is 95% gone! I can live a normal life again! I am so grateful to Dr Urbina and his team!
- Jenna S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Wow! What can I say except my TMJ device has lowered my daily pain levels to a point that I sleep great now. I have movement in my neck and shoulders that I haven’t had in years. Headaches are gone! I wouldn’t take a nap or go to sleep for the night without it.️it!
- Itasca L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I started having migraines consistently after having my daughter in 2019. The intensity of the migraines led to neck and lower back pain. 2 months ago I started having severe jaw pain. I could not bare touching it without crying. My dentist tried giving me a normal “night guard” that made it worse and finally referred me to Dr Urbanek. The next day, they got me in and less than 2 weeks late my customized mouth piece came in. Less than 3 weeks after using my piece consistently, l have no more neck pain, back pain, earaches, jaw pain, and my migraines have decreased significantly. I never thought I would finally figure out what was causing all my issues. Being 21 years of age, I’m glad my I finally have my life back.
- Markayla S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My experience with headaches, earaches, shoulder pain has been greatly diminished by my treatment with Dr Urbanek’s device. I was very skeptical at first but now I have to say the treatment is a success. The treatment was a little longer than anticipated but I am very glad we kept with it. Dr Urbanek has been so kind and patient.
- Rhonda J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My story one morning I woke up unable to open my mouth due to jaw pain. I went to doctor . I was lucky because he knew what was wrong right away. It was TMJ . I could barely open. He referred me to a specialist and I found out a lot I did not know. There are other symptoms that go along with this that you may not be aware of like me.some of the symptoms I had experienced is headaches for long time and more resent jaw pain. Like most people I ignored it thinking that it would go away they don’t. If you have these problems ask your doctor if these symptoms could be caused by TMJ. It helps to know there is help out there. I got lucky and now the pain is almost completely gone. Don’t be afraid to ask and please don’t ignore the problem. That’s my story about how I found out about TMJ and got help.
- Judy S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I've had lifelong TMJ issues that I overlooked and did treat until my jaw locked and I couldn't open my mouth very wide. The device has eliminated the pain, tension and other symptoms that I had along with allowing my jaw to unlock. I highly recommend the Urbanek device.
- Lisa B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had jowl problems for years due to grinding my teeth. Over the years headaches, ringing in ear, and other symptoms that I have told my dentist and family physician about. Until about 4 months ago my jowls staring locking. I was referred to Dr Urbanek. I am at 3 months wearing his mouth piece and have an 80% improvement. I would highly recommend people with the same problems to see before your jowls lock.
- Raymona D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
After many years of clenching my teeth, jaw pain and the ominous clicking while eating I found relief. I’ve worn my appliance for 11 months now. The pain, clicking and facial swelling has gone away. This is such a great relief. I’m hopeful that the healing process will continue in the months ahead. Regardless my TMJ issues are already 95% improved and due to this I recommend others try this.
- Patricia M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was having tons of ear aches and swimmers ear and jaw problems locking,popping also shoulder pain, neck pain but it was not the problem of get old or just my ear I have TMD which causes migraines and other symptoms .now I don’t have to take anymore headache medication for it at all 99% better now than before I came to Dr Urbanek
- Mona W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Since wearing the device my jaws are not popping, the ear aches I was having have improved significantly (almost non existent). My jaws are not sore when I wake up of a morning and I have not had a headache in the past few weeks. I wish I had been told about this device when it first came out.
- Sherrie M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
At my first appointment with Dr Urbanek, I was experiencing migraines and ear pain to the point that I was tired of dealing with it. Barely able to function some days. Since getting the mouth splint, I have had minimal headaches and am able to live again without the severe pain. Thank you for helping me get my life back!
- Amanda C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in with symptom of jaw pain,ear pain and more so I came to see what they could do and they gave me a TMJ retainer/split to help my symptoms and over time my symptoms have went away.
- Brittany N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was dealing with unexplained and persistent headaches and stiffness, once I saw Dr. Urbanek and received my device all it took was a short 3 weeks before my worst symptoms were alleviated.
- Brendan K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have suffered with pain in my left jaw for over 20 years now. I have had a couple of dentists make me a retainer because they said I would grind my teeth when I was sleeping. It barely helped at all. In 2022 the pain became so bad. When I would open my jaw would lock up and it was so painful to open my mouth. Then I had pain run down my left shoulder into my hand. I would drop anything I touched. I went to physical therapy and it barely helped. It was time consuming and costly. Finally I went to the dentist and told him I could not deal with it anymore. He referred me to a TMJ. He made me a special device and it changed everything. I just wear it when I sleep and the pain has been reduced dramatically . Please refer patients with jaw pain to a specialist so they don’t have to continue to suffer.
- Lauren M