Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are bite disorders caused by an injury, imbalance, or stress on the TMJ. The TMJ connects the skull and the jawbone. If patients develop TMD, these joints can create pain in the jaw and face. TMD can significantly impact your quality of life, so seeking treatment from a qualified healthcare provider is essential. Our office provides restorative dental care and TMJ treatment in Flower Mound, TX.
TMJ treatment can address tooth wear, jaw pain, headaches, and other symptoms of TMD. Our team is dedicated to helping patients find relief from these symptoms and regain function. We offer personalized treatment plans that may include dental splints and injections.
Signs of TMJ Disorders
Some of the most common symptoms of TMD to look out for include:
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Headaches and migraines
- Tooth pain and wear
- Jaw pain
- A change in how the teeth fit together
- Ear pain
- Pain when eating hard foods
These problems can increase your risk of TMJ issues:
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Tooth damage and wear
- Jaw injury
Many patients do not realize they have TMD because symptoms may seem subtle, and many can occur at night. Nightly teeth clenching and grinding, or bruxism, is a common TMD symptom. An imbalance in the TMJ can put uneven pressure on the bite and the jaw joints. As a result, you may feel the need to clench and grind your teeth.
Everyday stress can also impact you during the day. When stressed, you may find yourself clenching your teeth without realizing it.
Contact our office if you think you may have TMD; we will examine your smile to find the right treatment for your needs. We will take dental X-rays to examine your teeth, gums, and jaw and find areas of wear in your smile.
TMJ Treatment in Flower Mound, TX
Before TMJ treatment, we take X-rays to find areas of TMJ damage and tooth wear. We will also examine your bite and how your teeth come together. Common TMJ treatment options include:
TMJ Nightguard
We can create custom-made nightguards for patients who experience bruxism. Up to 1 in 3 Americans suffers from bruxism or unconscious teeth grinding while sleeping. This can wear down enamel and even lead to broken teeth. Wearing a customized nightguard protects the tooth enamel from wear and alleviates pain and pressure on the jaw.
In our office, we will take dental impressions of your upper or lower teeth. We send these impressions to a lab, where technicians create the guard from hard plastic. You will return to our office for a fitting, where we adjust the guard until it fits properly.
Your custom night splint will keep your jaw forward, reduce headaches, and treat your jaw pain.
Injectables
Xeomin can also benefit patients who experience orofacial pain and headaches due to TMD. Like Botox, Xeomin is an injectable treatment containing botulinum toxin type A, which relaxes the muscle.
When injected into key areas of the face, Xeomin can lessen jaw pain, headaches, migraines, and other painful symptoms of TMD. Xeomin lasts three to six months and can have quick effects on patients. Many patients who receive Xeomin treatments notice a reduction in their symptoms.
Surgery
If you have severe, lasting pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments, you may need surgery. Common types of TMJ surgery fix discs or torn cartilage that worsens symptoms. Other treatments can remove scar tissue or relieve nerve pressure.
Sometimes, surgery must fix the joints themselves. We can refer you to a surgeon for TMJ surgery.
Corrective Dental Treatment
Crooked teeth, tooth wear, and damaged teeth can worsen TMJ disorders. We may recommend bonding or crowns if you have damaged or worn teeth. In addition, we recommend Invisalign for crooked teeth. Bite equilibration can create a balanced bite, which reduces strain on the jaw muscles and joints.
A balanced bite can also prevent jaw misalignment and promote proper jaw function. When the bite is not balanced, it can lead to excessive pressure on the joint, causing pain, inflammation, and dysfunction. The muscles and joints can work together when the bite is properly aligned.
At-Home Care for TMJ Disorders
There is no one treatment for TMD. We recommend multiple treatments in our office and at home to treat TMD. In most cases, lifestyle changes can help reinforce good habits that reduce symptoms:
Jaw Exercises
Some common jaw exercises include gently stretching the jaw by opening and closing the mouth, performing side-to-side movements, and massaging the muscles in circular motions. Consistent practice of these exercises can help to decrease pain and improve overall jaw function if you suffer from TMJ.
Diet Changes
We recommend eating soft foods as you receive TMJ treatment. You can eat yogurt, smoothies, soups, oatmeal, and steamed vegetables as you receive TMJ treatment. Soft foods will help reduce the stress on your jaw and allow your joints to heal.
Medication
Prescription muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety medications can help patients with daily anxiety. Medicines can also help patients relax before sleep to reduce the risk of teeth clenching and grinding.
Posture
Bad posture can increase strain on your neck and jaw. When you slump forward, it strains the muscles and joints of the jaw, leading to pain and discomfort. Hunching over also strains the back muscles. Pain in the upper body can radiate to the TMJ.
Good posture involves keeping your head upright, with your ears aligned directly over your shoulders. Keep your screen at eye level when you look at your phone, laptop, or other smart device.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
You can learn more about TMJ treatment in our Flower Mound, TX dental office with answers to these patient questions:
How do dentists diagnose TMJ?
Our dentist will first ask about your symptoms, like jaw pain, clicking sounds, or trouble moving your jaw. Then, our dentist will feel your jaw and listen for any clicking or popping sounds. He will check how well your jaw moves and look for visual signs of tooth misalignment or teeth grinding.
Sometimes, our dentist will take X-rays or other images to see the bones and joints around your jaw. This helps them look for any damage or problems.
Will TMJ disorders go away without treatment?
In most cases, TMD will not go away on its own. If left untreated, TMJ disorders may worsen over time. This can lead to permanent joint or muscle damage. If you notice that you clench or grind your teeth when stressed, wake up with headaches or jaw pain, or often have tension in your upper body, you may have TMD. Contact our dentist for care.
What should you avoid during a TMJ flare-up?
If your TMJ pain flares up, you should avoid:
- Hard and crunchy foods
- Poor posture
- Chewing gum
- Crunching ice
- Using your teeth as tools
Instead, use jaw exercises, eat soft foods, and use heat to help relax your facial muscles. This can reduce pain and inflammation during a TMJ flare-up.
How can I relax my jaw?
You can practice this gentle jaw stretch to relieve jaw tension:
- Place the tip of your tongue on the middle of the roof of your mouth. Ensure your tongue is behind your teeth.
- Slowly open your mouth and allow your jaw to relax. Do not open your mouth too wide.
- Continue to gently open and close your mouth.
Should I get physical therapy for my TMJ?
Physical therapy is a great treatment for TMJ disorders. During physical therapy, you can learn exercises to increase mobility and comfort in the face, jaw, neck, shoulders, back, and arms.
Your physical therapist may also use heat and massage to help relax your facial muscles. This can prevent jaw stiffness and increase jaw mobility. You can use what you learn from physical therapy to treat flare-ups if needed.
What lifestyle changes help treat TMD?
In addition to professional care, you can help treat TMJ disorders with these lifestyle changes:
- Practice good posture
- Exercise your body, including your back, shoulders and arms
- Practice activities that help relieve stress
- Eat softer foods
Do I need surgery for my TMJ?
Surgery is a last resort to treat TMJ disorders. However, if we find signs of severe TMJ that do not improve, or if you have a damaged joint or tendons, you may need surgery. Difficulty opening your mouth fully, regular inflammation or pain in the jaw, or jaw pain may indicate you need surgery. We can also take X-rays of your teeth and jaw to look for signs of inflammation or damage in the jaw.
What is often mistaken for TMJ?
TMJ can sometimes be mistaken for other problems because the symptoms can be similar. Here are a few things that might be confused with TMJ:
- Sinus Injections
- Allergies
- Ear Infections
- Dental Abscess
- Muscle Strain
However, we still recommend you visit our office if you experience signs of TMD. We can determine if your symptoms are tied to TMJ disorders or another problem.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you need to treat TMD? Don’t let TMD disrupt your daily life any longer. Call Flower Mound Family Dentistry today at 972-848-8745. You may also schedule your next dental visit on our website. If you have questions about your TMJ treatment options, let us know, and we can help.
We serve Flower Mound, Bartonville, Lantana, Copper Canyon, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, and Coppell patients. Our office also serves Grapevine, Southlake, Keller, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Elizabethtown, Justin, Northlake, Argyle, and Colleyville.