TMJ & TMD Treatment

TMJ Treatment in Arlington

Are you suffering from pain in your jaw muscles and teeth? Do you have headaches or hear your jaw clicking or popping? TMD could be the likely culprit, a disorder often left untreated. Pecan Park Dental has TMD treatment options available to bring you relief.

TMJ vs TMD

TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is a condition that affects your jaw and the facial muscles surrounding your mouth. There are estimated to be more than 10 million people who suffer from this disorder, and countless others who have yet to be diagnosed. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is typically the culprit in cases of TMD. The TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. When the TMJ suffers a trauma or injury of some sort, it may be unable to move as it should and can cause complications while chewing or speaking. This can be frustrating but also incredibly uncomfortable or painful.

The symptoms of TMD

The actual cause of TMD is unknown. Some professionals believe that stress, grinding teeth, and dental issues (like missing or crooked teeth) are underlying issues that can cause TMD. It is also believed that this condition could be the result of arthritis in the jaw or dislocation in the ball-socket area of the jawbone. Some of the symptoms of TMD include:

• pain and tenderness in the jaw and facial areas (which can also extend to the shoulders and ears)
• a clicking noise in your jaw when chewing
• the inability to open your mouth widely
• swelling of the face
• your jawbone locking when opening or closing your mouth

How TMD is Diagnosed

Your dentist will ask you a series of questions to determine if you have the typical symptoms of TMD before performing a thorough oral examination. During this examination, your dentist will check for jaw mobility, determine if there is any inflammation or tenderness and examine your bite and the state of your teeth (looking for any problems with your bite or the condition of your teeth- which could be causing the TMD). In some cases, your dentist may also take an x-ray of your mouth in order to view the jawbone and the TMJ.

How Your Dentist Can Help With TMD

There are several treatments that can help to remedy the problem. If your dentist finds that your TMD is mainly caused by bruxism or grinding your teeth, then they may recommend a nightguard or a treatment plan to address that first. In certain cases, braces, implants, bridges, and crowns can help to fix any bite problems that are exacerbating your TMD. If your temporomandibular disorder is being caused by stress, then your dentist may recommend muscle relaxants or relaxation techniques.

Find Relief From TMD With Pecan Park Dental in Arlington, TX!

Visit our team of uniquely skilled dentists and let us help you get rid of the pain and discomfort your TMD is causing you. Contact us directly or schedule an appointment and we can help you get back to enjoying functional, comfortable jaw movement.