TMJ Treatment
Paradise Valley, AZ
 Your mouth performs numerous essential tasks every day. To do these tasks, your mouth relies on several components. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint at which your lower jaw meets your skull and is located just in front of your ears. This joint is important for the movement of your jaw - opening your mouth, closing it, and moving it from side to side. If the joint becomes irritated (and subsequently inflamed), it can lead to severe jaw pain that interferes with your everyday activities, and your quality of life. At David R. Moyer DDS in Paradise Valley, AZ, we can help!
What is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular Joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, is a broad term that covers a wide variety of different issues that affect your jaw and the temporomandibular joint. When your TMJ is irritated and therefore inflamed, it can greatly interfere with your quality of life, making normal, simple, daily tasks painful. Symptoms that point to a problem with your TMJ include:
| • |
Severe jaw and TMJ pain.
|
| • |
TMJ pain when eating. It can make this task extremely difficult.
|
| • |
Difficulty with opening your mouth at all.
|
| • |
Your jaw may lock (open or closed).
|
| • |
Feeling/hearing a clicking, popping or grinding in the jaw joint.
|
| • |
Chronic headaches and earaches. These symptoms are often mistaken for other issues. |
Causes of TMJ Disorder
There are several causes of TMJ disorder. Many of the causes are not always apparent, which can make pinpointing the exact cause more difficult. Causes of TMJ disorder include:
| • |
Facial trauma, which can occur as a result of auto accidents, sports injuries, or falls.
|
| • |
Whiplash. Common in car accidents, your jaw becomes temporarily dislocated, irritating the joint.
|
| • |
Misaligned teeth and jaw.
|
| • |
Grinding and clenching your teeth, a condition is known as bruxism.
|
| • |
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. |
How is TMJ Disorder Diagnosed?
To provide you with the most effective TMJ treatment for your disorder, we must first perform a thorough oral dental exam to diagnose your exact issue. We begin with a visual inspection of the interior of your mouth. We check your teeth for alignment issues and signs of wear. We will also look at the outside of your mouth to assess alignment. X-rays will be taken, which will allow us to see the structures of your mouth hidden below the gumline. Once we have pinpointed the cause of your TMJ disorder, we can then create an appropriate treatment plan.
What TMJ Treatments Are Available?
There are several treatments available for TMJ disorder. Your treatment will depend significantly on the exact cause. Common treatments include:
| • |
Night guards/oral splints. If you suffer from bruxism, a night guard may be able to help. A night guard is a custom fit mouth guard that is worn while you sleep. It holds your jaw in alignment, and it provides cushioning between your teeth when your muscles contract. This absorbs the impact, easing the tension in your jaw.
|
| • |
Botox injections. Botox, common for treating fine lines and wrinkles in the face, can also be used to treat bruxism. Strategically placed injections weaken the muscles that control grinding and clenching, allowing your jaw, and your TMJ, to heal. Botox for TMJ is becoming an increasingly popular option for TMJ pain.
|
| • |
Orthodontic work. If your teeth and jaw are misaligned, orthodontics can realign them, easing your jaw joint pain.
|
| • |
Surgery. If no other treatments prove effective, surgery is reserved for the last effort. |
You don't have to suffer from TMJ jaw pain. If you are around Paradise Valley, AZ and your TMJ is causing you problems, call David R. Moyer DDS at 480.935.6295 to schedule your appointment today! |
