TMJ Treatment

TMJ Treatment – Greenwood, IN

Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ or TMD, is a very common problem that can cause headaches and jaw discomfort when chewing or talking. It can really interfere with your life. Luckily, Stacy D. Johnson Comfortable Dentistry is your TMJ treatment – Greenwood, IN, dental professional.

Our dentists are dedicated to helping you live a healthier, happier, and pain-free life. TMJ can interfere with that, and we can help.

What is TMJ Exactly?

Your temporomandibular joint is where your lower jaw connects with the rest of your head. Sometimes that joint can develop arthritis or can be misaligned which causes wear and tear on the ligaments and muscles around the joint. Trauma can also create problems with this joint. It can result in a very painful situation that limits your ability to talk and chew normally.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

The symptoms of the problem include headaches, jaw tenderness, earaches, facial pain, shoulder or neck pain, clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth, and a general tired feeling in your face. It’s even possible that your jaw can become stuck in either the open or closed position!

Many people also notice that their jaw gets sore after chewing, and for that reason, they don’t chew gum or other foods that are difficult to chew. Additionally, patients may experience tinnitus or ringing in the ears, tooth pain, and even swelling on the side of their face.

What Are the Treatment Options for TMJ?

Our professional dentists at Stacy D. Johnson Comfortable Dentistry in Greenwood, IN, can recommend several treatment options to alleviate the discomfort of TMJ. We always like to start with the least invasive options first before recommending more drastic solutions.

Among the non-invasive treatment options are lifestyle changes that help our patients learn relaxation techniques that target the jaw muscles. These techniques can often solve your problem, but if not, we also recommend hot and cold therapy to lessen or even eliminate the pain. When this is practiced up to four times a day, it can relax those tense muscles around the joint.

If that doesn’t work, our dental professionals can fit you for a custom dental appliance. Often, clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth can cause TMJ. Using a bite guard or splint can keep your upper teeth from contacting your lower teeth and alleviate the tension that results.

If the TMJ results from a malalignment of your bite, it’s possible that orthodontic solutions could alleviate your problem. There are also other, more invasive techniques including oral surgery, but of course, we like to use that as a last resort.

If you think you have TMJ, please don’t hesitate to contact our TMJ treatment Greenwood office today for a consultation and solutions to your problem. We won’t be happy until you’re pain-free!